Hospice Southeastern Connecticut brings the community together to Celebrate Life
Volunteers deliver and set-up the donated Tree: (l to r: Shane Shurit, Archie Swindell, Don Byles, Cole Short, Phil Tuthill, & Bert Brouillier).
Volunteers hang ornaments on the Tree: (l to r: Mason Cook & Jake McQuillan (USCGA), Evan Seder & Alexis Seder (NFA)).
New London Elks volunteers prepare new ornaments for the Tree. (l to r: Leland Athow; present exalted ruler and Michele Brighton, past exalted ruler)
USGCA Singers perform under the direction of Dr. Robert Newton.
Norwich, CT (April 16, 2011) – Saturday, April 16, 2011 was the beginning of the week long Tree of Life memorial display in the Crystal Mall, Waterford. This event is made possible by the efforts and generosity of our community members. Byles-MacDougall Funeral Service sponsored this event with a generous donation to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut. Crystal Mall donates the space to display the Tree and Tuthill’s Nursery and Garden Center donates a budding Pussy-Willow that stands at least 12 feet tall. Volunteers from the community gather to set-up the Tree, then hang over 600 personalized ornaments, and greet guests who come to visit the Tree of Life. The volunteers represent a number of local organizations such as the New London Elks, New London Rotary, Waterford Lions Club, United States Coast Guard Academy and Norwich Free Academy.
A remembrance ceremony was held on April 16, 2011 at 4 p.m. at the Crystal Mall. The United States Coast Guard Academy Singers, conducted by Dr. Robert Newton, opened with a beautiful medley of patriotic songs after which Carol Mahier, Executive Director of Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, welcomed everyone to the event. Rev. Willis McCaw, the agency’s Spiritual Coordinator, spoke about remembering and celebrating life. The U.S.C.G.A. Singers followed Rev. McCaw with lovely renditions of Danny Boy and Coming Home. Jeffrey Nelson, the agency’s new Director of Community Development, concluded the ceremony expressing gratitude for all those who support Hospice Southeastern Connecticut and those who have allowed us the privilege of supporting them and their loved one at the end of life.
The Tree of Life will be on display until Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m. Please visit the Tree and take the opportunity to personalize an ornament to hang on the Tree. This remembrance is free to the community, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut provides care in the home and often in skilled nursing facilities for those facing the end of their life, regardless of age, disease or inability to pay. The organization also provides bereavement services for families in New London County free of charge, regardless of whether the death occurred under hospice care or not.
About Hospice Southeastern Connecticut
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut is a community-based, non-profit healthcare organization in New London County. It is the only regional hospice affiliated with both Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and The William W. Backus Hospital. It is Medicare/Medicaid certified, state licensed and CHAP accredited. Hospice Southeastern Connecticut has been the hospice of choice for over 8,000 families since 1985.