A Heartfelt Gift of Music
On Friday afternoons, the soothing sound of piano melodies fills the halls of Angela Hospice, calming nerves and providing a sense of peace throughout the Livonia Care Center. This weekly gift is provided by Jeff Burlingame, one of Angela Hospice’s remarkable volunteers. Jeff enjoys interacting with visitors, staff, and passersby, offering them comfort and joy through music.
“It’s rewarding to interact with patients and families,” Jeff said. “I love it when I receive song requests.”
If he doesn’t know a particular piece, he’ll either search for it or try to improvise, always striving to bring a smile or a moment of peace to those who need it most.
Jeff’s connection to Angela Hospice is personal, as his mother was a patient here. When she became ill, he suggested that she receive care at Angela Hospice. She spent her final two weeks at the Livonia Care Center, surrounded by compassionate, round-the-clock support and exceptional care. During his visits, Jeff noticed the piano and, inspired by the peaceful and uplifting atmosphere it created, decided to volunteer his musical talents as a way to give back and reflect on his mother’s memory.
After completing volunteer training, Jeff began playing piano once a week for our patients and has since become a valued member of the Angela Hospice Choir.
Jeff’s love for music began at an early age, inspired by watching his mother play the organ. At the young age of four, he was too small to reach the pedals, but that didn’t stop him from playing the “Star Spangled Banner” by ear. It was his mother who first inspired Jeff’s musical journey, and also the reason he continues to share his music with others.
By age 11, Jeff began formal piano lessons and continued to hone his talent. He played piano at St. Veronica Church in Eastpointe through high school and now plays twice a month for the St. Edith Music Ensemble and at Sunday Masses. For many years, he was also a substitute organist throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.
In addition to his musical talents, Jeff is a former engineer with an MBA from the University of Michigan. He now works as a second-generation realtor at Howard Hanna in Plymouth. A devoted husband and father, Jeff has three children: a daughter in high school, a son at Wheeling University in West Virginia, and a stepdaughter preparing for medical school. Outside of real estate and music, he enjoys biking with his daughter and an occasional game of tennis or golf.
Through his piano playing at Angela Hospice, Jeff not only honors the memory of the mother who sparked his love for music but also continues to share the gift she gave him, brightening the days of our patients and their families. In doing so, he carries forward the compassionate care his mother received, offering it to others in need.
