Beyond the Bucket List: Dolores' Grand Slam Day
Beyond the Bucket List: Dolores' Grand Slam Day
by Kenyon Kemnitz
At 90 years old, Dolores Mate has already lived a life full of memories, but one item still remained on her bucket list - to see her beloved Chicago Cubs play one last time at legendary Wrigley Field. As a Rainbow Hospice Care patient, the idea seemed nearly impossible.
When Sandra Braden first started considering hospice care for her mother, she wasn’t sure where to turn. A conversation with a church friend prompted her to contact Rainbow.
“I called on a Monday, they came out on Wednesday, she was admitted, and life has been wonderful,” said Sandra.
Rainbow Community Care, whose team includes Nurse Manager Abby Yackel and Social Worker Michelle Williams, ensured Dolores had everything she needed for the trip.
Craig Legel is the lead pastor at Real Hope Community Church in Lake Mills and stops by to visit Dolores at her daughter’s home in Waterloo.
What turned out to be a simple conversation between two Cubs fans soon sparked an idea for Craig to see if he could get Dolores to a Cubs game.
“I asked him, Are you sure?” Dolores recalled. “He goes, ‘Yeah, are you up for it?” I said, ‘Oh yeah, I’m up for it.”
Dolores hadn’t been to Wrigley Field in over 20 years.
Born and raised in Chicago, she remembers cheering on her Cubbies from the grandstand seats when she was just a little girl.
“I’ve been trying to think back at how many players I remember,” Dolores said. “I know Phil Cavarretta was one of them.”
Cavaretta was a four-time All-Star and Cubs first baseman from 1935 to 1953. Dolores’ enthusiasm for her current favorite players, outfielders Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ, is evident every time they step up to the plate.
“Every time Crow gets up to bat, she’s like, ‘Hit it out of the park, or it’s ‘Cmon, Happ, you can do it,’ Sandra said.
Like many fans, Dolores has experienced the highs and lows of being a Cubs fan. From the 2016 World Series win to some tough playoff losses, she’s passed the tradition on to her family.
“My parents usually took us out of school to attend opening day,” Sandra said. “We lived in Elgin and would hop on the train into the city and then take it home.”
“Chicago fans are very loyal throughout the many years of heartache,” said Pastor Craig. “You don't choose to be a Cubs fan...you just grow up that way.”
Getting Dolores in her wheelchair from the congested streets of Chicago into the stadium seemed like an overwhelming obstacle for her family. Pastor Craig reached out to some connections he knew, not thinking anyone would respond right away.
“He told Mom, ‘I’m going to go home and make some calls,’ and the next thing we know, he says, ‘Do you really want to go to a Cubs game? I can get us tickets,’ Sandra said.
Pastor Craig felt the trip had to happen rather quickly, calling it a “make-a-wish trip” as the regular season was ending and Dolores was “running out of time”.
“With her age and health condition, it was very important for me to help make it a reality,” Pastor Craig said. “I wanted Dolores to be able to experience something special, and that was her spot of choice.”
Dolores’ Rainbow care team consulted with her to make sure she was comfortable before taking the trip.
“Traveling has become difficult for her, so we had conversations about whether she felt up to it,” said Rainbow nurse Abby Yackel. “Ultimately, Dolores decided the joy of the experience may be worth a little discomfort. We made sure she had the necessary equipment and medications for symptom management.”
The Chairman of the Chicago Bears, George McCaskey, emailed Craig back almost immediately and put him in touch with Kelly Scoggan, an Executive Assistant for the Cubs organization. She did much more than help Craig find handicap accessible parking and seating.
It wasn’t long before Dolores, Sandra, her son-in-law, Homer, and Craig were on their way to a September 5 afternoon game in Chicago. Dolores’ dream was about to come true. She was all decked out in her Cubs hat and T-shirt and ready to go.
“I told Pastor Craig that my little nephew had his picture taken with Bill Buckner (Cubs first baseman/outfielder 1977-1984) one time, and he replied, ‘Wow, you go back that far?” Dolores said.
“I didn't realize that it was Dolores' old stomping grounds as she lived in that neighborhood nearby,” Pastor Craig said.
A kind pastor, a dedicated daughter, and the magic of the Cubs organization decided that a lifelong fan deserved the royal treatment. For Dolores, being wheeled into the historic ballpark wasn't just an ordinary trip to the ballpark. It was a miraculous homecoming.
Dolores received VIP treatment, with her name on the Cubs entrance sign, and was also featured on the videoboard during the game. It said, “The Cubs Honor Dolores Mate.” Being in the spotlight wasn’t something Dolores was expecting, but she savored every minute.
“That was a complete surprise,” Dolores said. “I looked and said, “Oh, my gosh. All of Wrigley Field is watching me. The crowd was fantastic. I can’t thank Pastor Craig and the Cubs enough.”
Dolores was having the time of her life. Tickets were provided free of charge, and the Cubs showered her with a gift bag that contained a jersey, a blanket to keep her warm, four baseball caps for her group, and a wonderful keepsake of her name on the famous Marquee sign.
She loved seeing the new upgrades in the stadium and how things had changed over the years. But the familiar nostalgia of the historic ballpark remained untouched. There’s something about being at Wrigley Field that makes it such a special and unique atmosphere to see a ball game.
"It’s the people, the warmth, and feeling like you’re at home," Dolores said. "I've been to a few other ballparks, but I still like Wrigley Field best."
Dolores even joined in the singing of YMCA and the “Go Cubs, Go” chants. The Cubs victory over the Washington Nationals that day made the two decade wait even better.
“It was one blessing after another and just a special day,” Sandra said. “Two of the attendants in the handicapped section were just in awe watching Mom. Pastor Craig knew so much about the history of Wrigley Field, so he was able to talk to Mom about the past. She went on Gallagher Way, had her Chicago-style hot dog, and a little bit of Cracker Jack.”
“I had more fun watching Dolores experience everything than the game itself,” Craig said. “Watching her light up through the day and cheering when the Cubs homered and scored runs, "singing the song" at the end of the game after the win, were all very special moments. I played such a small part, and others all came together to make it happen.”
The day was also incredibly moving for Sandra, who witnessed sheer delight on her mom’s face, with a smile she’ll remember forever.
“This is something we won’t ever forget,” Sandra said. “It was phenomenal. I was in tears at several points and had not seen my mom that happy in a long time.”
They were able to snap some pictures that day and also received a special one from the Cubs organization during the game. Several fans stopped and talked to her before and after the game to shake her hands and share their love for the Cubs.
The emotional impact of the trip resonated deeply with the Rainbow team. They recognized this special day offered far more than just a baseball game.
"This wish being fulfilled put the spark back in Dolores that was starting to fade as her health declined,” Rainbow social worker Michelle Williams said. “The excitement, reminiscing, and feeling appreciated created memories that definitely improved her quality of life. She is still talking about this outing a month later."
Dolores couldn't wait to share her "adventure" the next time Abby and Michelle came for a visit.
"She immediately showed me pictures and videos of her Wrigley Field adventure on her GrandPad when I arrived,” Williams said. “She was so proud and happy... She was so animated in describing her day minute to minute."
Witnessing this joy was incredibly rewarding for her Rainbow care team.
"It’s those moments of joy that stay with you and reaffirm the importance of compassionate care," Yackel said.
The power of faith and community were on full display that September day for Dolores Mate, who will keep cheering on her Cubs for as long as she can.
“I don't know if God cares much about baseball...But I know he cares about and loves Dolores!” Pastor Craig said. “He gives us gifts far beyond what we ask or imagine. This brought delight to her soul, and that in itself is powerful.”
Most of the ride down to Chicago and back to Wisconsin consisted of conversations about the game and other cherished memories.
"It was a meaningful connection where I got to know her better and be part of her life,” Pastor Craig said. “This trip, a sort of 'last lap check,' brought her such joy, and spending the day with her was the most important thing. It was as if time slowed a bit that day, a great blessing from God. Having that gift and memory—pictures to mark the time and stories to be told to grandkids and great-grandkids—will last well beyond Dolores’ life on earth for her family."
Dolores was able to go home again, and now her daughter has an experience she can hold close to her heart and treasure forever.
The realization of Dolores’ dream perfectly illustrated that end-of-life care is truly holistic. It's about helping individuals find joy and meaning, even in their final days.