Fearless Hospice Patient Pilots Unforgettable Joyride

North Central resident Don Tamuty was grinning ear to ear after his exciting Waymo adventure (photo courtesy of Hospice of the Valley).

Don Tamuty, a cherished 95-year-old resident of North Central Phoenix and former teacher in the Madison Unified School District, recently checked off a remarkable item from his bucket list: riding in a driverless car. This aspiration was revealed to his hospice nurse, Monisha Roe, during one of their conversations. Lin Sue Flood, director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley, noted how the care team quickly sprang into action to make this dream a reality.

The hospice team arranged a driverless ride with Waymo One, taking Tamuty to a local restaurant. His departure was met with playful banter from friends at Beatitudes Campus, where he resides. As they bid him farewell, they teased, “Good luck, Don. You’re braver than we are!”

On the day of the ride, Tamuty radiated joy as he pressed the “Start Ride” button while seated in the passenger seat. The thrill heightened when the Waymo vehicle paused to allow a firetruck to pass, before continuing its journey to Biltmore Fashion Park for lunch.

Roe shared her sentiments about the experience, saying, “It’s special when we can make a dream come true and bring a smile to someone’s face.” She added with a touch of humor, “Initially, we were all terrified, except Don, but it was a smooth ride!”

The excitement surrounding Tamuty’s adventure quickly spread on social media, where hundreds of viewers expressed gratitude for his military service and celebrated his adventurous spirit. Comments poured in from various sources, including Biltmore Fashion Park, which welcomed him with, “So happy you could join us for lunch! You rock, Don!” Waymo also shared his story with their extensive follower base.

Embracing the spotlight, Tamuty’s daughter expressed her joy over her father’s newfound popularity online. She thanked Hospice of the Valley for the support and love provided to families, emphasizing her gratitude for the care her father received.

Now somewhat of a local celebrity at Beatitudes, Tamuty described his experience as unforgettable. “My golly,” he exclaimed, “it was wonderful… just too good to be true.”