Babies & Children's Memorial Garden



Ceremony of Remembrance Photos

Remembering a Good Friend and Colleague, Kate Zeitler

The garden relocation work was completed in early December 2005. While there are some changes from the original design, the garden's purpose remains unchanged. It remains a peaceful, beautiful place to honor the memory of the children and a place of solace for families. It serves as a statement to the community of the importance of the lives of the children, no matter how short those lives may have been.

The notes that we collected at the September 25, 2005 ceremony were placed in the garden in November when the trees were planted.

We thank the folks at Gilbane and PAV CO for their work on reconstructing the garden and for their generosity. They donated and installed two new benches to the garden. The bench from Gilbane is dedicated to the children and their families and the bench from PAV CO was donated in memory of Chris Keitel, RN. Chris was a labor and delivery nurse at SBUH for many years and an original member of the garden planning committee. The garden was important to Chris and this is a fitting tribute to her.

Once again, we thank Richard Gibney, registered landscape architect, for his assistance throughout the lengthy process of planning and relocating the garden. His help has been invaluable.

Please feel free to visit the garden during daylight hours.

If you have any questions regarding the garden, please call
(631) 444-3783.

Garden Photos April 2006

credit; John Griffin/Media Services/SBU

Remembering the Babies and Children

The Babies' and Children's Memorial Garden was created in 1999. A moving dedication and ceremony of remembrance was held in October 1999. The ceremony featured the planting of bulbs in memory of children who have died.

Garden Fall 2000

Members of the Original (1998) Garden Planning Committee

Pat Bockino Christine Keitel
Virginia Coletti Nancy Leiken
Kathleen Culver Margaret Parker
S. Marjorie Devlin Nancy Petrone
Karin Ganetis Kathleen Southerton
Tom & Janet Gillen Kate Zeitler

Donations always welcome
Please contact:
Kathy Southerton -(631) 444-3783
or click here to print out a donation form

Nearly 300 people attended the emotion-filled event. Many of those present had experienced the death of a child or had suffered a loss during pregnancy. The children were remembered with music, poems and prayers. As candles were lit, their names were read and a memorial plaque was unveiled. The second annual ceremony of remembrance was held September 17, 2000. A ceremony will take place each year.

"The garden is an ongoing work," said Kathy Southerton, co-chair of the Hospital's Bereavement Committee, which oversaw the project. This coming spring, the committee plans to add more benches and continue with additional plantings. Families may purchase personalized bricks for the garden's walkway by calling Dr. Southerton at (631) 444-3783(or click on the fundraisers and raffles button above to print and send in a form to purchase a brick).

Established by the Bereavement Committee of the Women's & Children's Hospital at University Hospital and Medical Center, with the help of many volunteers, the garden is located near the main hospital entrance.

It is hoped that the garden will help soothe the grief and mourning process for families who have suffered devastating losses. Hospital staff members and other members of the Stony Brook community also may visit the garden for times of quiet reflection.

The garden was designed by Richard W. Gibney, RLA. Rich is a local landscape architect and certified arborist. He was involved in the early planning stages of the garden and remains closely involved as the garden grows.

For information about parking during your visit to the garden please click here to see what arrangements have been made.

Photo is of Scott and James Rubesh planting bulbs

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