FHFHH Board Members

Board Members (from left to right): Leo Arel (BM 2020-2024), Sharon Smith, Jon VanGuilder, Dawn Castles, Marty Riordan

Friends of Hyder Family Hospice House

Our Mission

is to continue and support the valuable care for those with life-limiting illnesses as well as the long-standing vision to have in-patient hospice services available at the
Hyder Family Hospice House.

Our Vision

is to assist Hyder Family Hospice House to remain a viable, outstanding facility that offers support and care for the entire family including patients, their families, and Hyder Family Hospice House staff.

Friends of Hyder Family Hospice House was formed in July 2014 after the April 2014 announcement of the closure of Hyder Family Hospice House, 285 County Farm Road, Dover, NH. The founding members had experienced first hand the incredible facility and services at Hyder Family Hospice House and were determined to offer support to help keep this beautiful place available to others. Friends of Hyder Family Hospice made known its support to the Strafford County Commissioners and Delegates and had reached over 850 people on Facebook who were willing to support this in-patient hospice facility. In July 2015, Hyder Family Hospice House re-opened and is in full operation today.

Over the years, we have enhanced the working environment for the hard-working staff and have assisted patients in many various ways. We have used your generous donations to help maintain and beautify the grounds and gardens. We have also purchased and installed bird feeders throughout the property which we keep filled so that the birds come to greet the staff and patients.

Board of Directors

Dawn Castles, Chair

Jon VanGuilder, Vice-Chair

Sharon Smith, Secretary

Marty Riordan, Treasurer

Tim Graff

× Dawn Castles
Dawn began her service work in hospice when she was in high school where she first found her passion for the mission of hospice. She has spent her career in health care serving seniors in nursing home, hospice care and at home. She began her volunteer work with Hyder Family Hospice when a neighbor sent an email out to the neighborhood sharing that that local hospice house was reopening. With the reopening, they needed help cleaning and organizing. Those couple of hours turned into the privilege to serve on the all-volunteer Friends of Hyder Family Hospice Board.
× Sharon Smith
Sharon lives in Rochester with her husband, Dale, of 43 years spanning his career in the Air Force living in Mississippi, Michigan and the United Kingdom. She raised two adult children who now have families of their own including three young grandchildren. Sharon has worked in the legal profession for over 25 years.
× Tim Graff
Tim is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he completed his military career as a pilot with the Air National Guard at Pease Air National Guard Base. He currently works as a simulator instructor for Flight Safety Defense. A lifelong advocate for public service, Tim has dedicated over 20 years to supporting New Hampshire Scouting. He also served for many years as a board member and president of Seacoast Mental Health in Portsmouth and continues to support the VFW and American Legion. Tim and his wife, Mary, raised their six children in Barrington, where they actively support the local food pantry in Barrington through fresh egg donations and fundraising. Tim’s interests include gardening, farming, aviation, hiking, and working with youth. He looks forward to supporting the critical mission of hospice care at Hyder House.

Please click on photo to learn more about the board member.