Steadfast Support: How Solvay Hospice House gave Helen and Russ the gift of presence
Russ Whitehouse was a man defined by dedication, craftsmanship and love. Born in 1947, he served with distinction in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era before spending more than 50 years as a journeyman ironworker in Montana and Minnesota.
His commitment to his trade ran deep. Russ not only built steel structures, but also helped shape the next generation, serving for years as an apprentice instructor with Ironworkers Local 512. And his legacy still shines today. Russ helped construct the iconic 120-foot steel Christmas tree at Bentleyville, which remains a centerpiece of the annual holiday lights display.
Above all else, Russ was a family man.
“He doted on his grandkids and great-grandchildren,” his wife, Helen, says. “They put a sparkle in his eye. All they had to do was say they needed help, and he was there.”
Russ and Helen were married for 45 years. The Whitehouse’s granddaughter, Devin Dzuck, says that Russ called Helen “his bride” to the end.
“He was all about Helen,” says Devin with a smile.
From fear to peace
When Russ came to Solvay Hospice House on September 26, 2025, Helen and her family were afraid. Like many, they associated hospice with endings, loss and uncertainty. But what they found was something very different.
“The care at Solvay was absolutely wonderful. It wasn’t like a hospital stay, it felt like home,” says Helen. “They treated us like family from the moment we walked in. And they cared for me as much as they did for Russ.”
Helen stayed overnight with Russ for all but three nights of his 6-week stay. And because she knew he was truly cared for, Helen was finally able to take care of herself.
“It allowed me to just be with him,” she says. “I didn’t have to worry about doing everything anymore. It gave us quality time together in his last months.”
Devin says that, had they known how much time Helen would be able to spend with Russ at Solvay—basically living there with him—they may have chosen to come sooner. What mattered most to the couple was being together.
Where presence mattered most
When Russ passed on November 4, 2025, Solvay staff remained with Helen. They guided her, supported her and helped her understand what was happening.
“That time will be emblazoned in my heart forever,” Helen says. “I couldn’t have done it alone. They explained everything. They reassured me that he wasn’t in pain. They kept me from falling apart. I consider them angels here on earth.”
What stayed with her most was seeing the nurses grieve her husband, too. “For them to cry for someone they’d known just a couple months, it meant the world. It showed how deeply he was cared for.”
The most meaningful gift of all
If there is one thing Helen hopes people understand about Solvay, it’s this: It’s not about giving up; it’s about getting time together. Time to love. Time to be present. Time to say goodbye with peace.
For Helen and Russ, Solvay gave them the most meaningful gift of all: the chance to be together, fully, until the very end.
