Originally published in Connecticut Magazine, Vol. 75 No.4, April 2012 As America’s first hospice nears its 40th year, the art of comforting the dying continues to evolve. Although Gladys’ hair is white, her skin is youthful, her blue eyes clear and direct. Her voice lilts with a gentle Scottish accent. When I compliment her carnation-pink nails, she quickly folds them into her palms with a laugh of embarrassment and pleasure, explaining, “I was going to hide them because it’s the first time I ever had nails done.” Her new friend and Hospice roommate Irene encouraged her to paint them when a volunteer came to their room offering an array of polishes. “Why…