BANGOR – Hospice of Eastern Maine honored Daphne Saddler with the Patricia Jameson Award at its recent volunteer appreciation dinner.

The award for volunteer excellence was presented to Saddler in recognition of her exceptional service to Bangor-area hospice patients and their families in 2003, said officials. She received congratulations from Wayne Melanson, director of volunteer services for Hospice of Eastern Maine.

Saddler has been an Orono resident for more than 45 years. She retired from the healthcare field in 1997 after working nearly 30 years as a senior nurse technician at Eastern Maine Medical Center and Orono Commons.

She became a volunteer with Hospice of Eastern Maine in November 2001. Since then, Saddler has worked tirelessly for its hospice patients and their families in the Bangor area, helping to alleviate their fears, loneliness and burdens. She donated 129 hours of service to patients and their families in 2003.

In addition to her hospice volunteer work, Saddler works part time caring for elderly people in the Orono area. She balances her hours of caregiving with bowling, golfing and traveling.