“I think it was more for me than for Lee,” Lynne said. “I did not miss a single appointment in two months because there was always somebody here. That’s worth more than anything I can put value on because I worry about him if I can’t be here, and I knew he would be well taken care of.” 

Lynne took care of Lee on her own for a year prior to hospice care. Lynne describes that time as “extremely challenging,” as Lee suffered hallucinations, seizures and uncontrollable behaviors. The Kellers averaged two trips to the emergency room per month for six months. After signing up for hospice care, the clinicians adjusted Lee’s medications to balance his moods and behaviors and offered 24/7 nursing support. 

“The most important thing I got from Bluegrass Care Navigators was their commitment to excellence,” Lynne said. “I never felt like I was one of a whole bunch of people. I felt like they put us first and no matter what the need was, Bluegrass found a way to help and to meet our needs.” 

Milly Burkhart, a BCN volunteer in the Barbourville region, became the Keller’s regular volunteer in December of 2022. She brought magazines to share with Lee, and Lee, an accomplished pianist, played her piano concerts. 

As Valentine’s Day approached, Burkhart saw an opportunity to play cupid. Although she’s been volunteering with BCN for 12 years, she says it’s not often that she sees a couple so much in love. She decided to help them celebrate in style with a card, flower delivery and their favorite meal. 

“I wanted the wife to have all the wonderful things that encompass a Valentine’s Day from her husband,” she said.  

Burkhart got Lee to sign the card, which she mailed to arrive for Valentine’s Day. She also arranged for Lynne’s favorite flowers to be delivered first thing Valentine’s morning, and she personally delivered the couple’s favorite meal of spaghetti and meatballs, salad and dessert that evening.  

Lynne, who had no Valentine’s Day expectations, was completely surprised. 

“I was blown away and so surprised,” Lynne said. “I felt so loved because I knew that Milly and Lee had collaborated to get it organized and I really, really felt special.” 

Lynne and Lee met at church after her first husband passed and Lee had divorced. On their first date, he opened the passenger door for her, and she found daisies on the front seat. For her, that was an “ah ha” moment that this man was special. 

“I still think she’s the most beautiful, intelligent and caring person I’ve ever spent time with,” Lee said. 

After dating for a while, Lee suggested that they get married. Lynne went into a deep funk and finally told him that because of how difficult her first marriage was, she never wanted to be anyone’s wife again. 

“He said, ‘You won’t be my wife, you’ll be my girlfriend,’ and here we are 42 years later, and we still call each other ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend,’” Lynne said. “There’s just a different mindset when you think back to how you met your husband and how you felt like there was nobody else in the whole world.” 

Although life will never return to the way it was before Lee’s injury, BCN helped this couple learn to live in the aftermath of tragedy. Lynne feels blessed to get to live each day with her husband at her side. 

“I give credit to BCN that Lee is as healthy, as far along and as stable as he is,” she said. “I believe that between prayer, the knowledge that we have and to be able to be at home, all those things contribute to his well-being.” 



Bluegrass Care Navigators provides hospice care in 32 counties across Kentucky, as well as specialized care for aging Kentuckians including palliative, PACE, home health, transitional, home primary care and grief care. For more information about our services or volunteer programs, visit www.bgcarenav.org.