June 29, 2005
Hospice garden takes root
Munson Hospice House holds ceremony for tribute garden in honor of Charles and Catherine Germaine
By
Herald staff writer
Planting a garden takes faith - faith that life will continue.
The children of Charles and Catherine Germaine could think of no better tribute to their parents than having a garden at the Munson Hospice House named in their memory.
"My mother loved to garden and Dad loved the outdoors. Hospice brought such comfort to us, we hoped that other people who use hospice would draw comfort from the garden," said Mavourneen Germaine-Easterle, daughter of Charles and Catherine Germaine, who gathered with friends, family members and hospice staff and volunteers to dedicate the garden on Friday.
The Munson Hospice House, where staff and volunteers are dedicated to making the final phase of a person's life as comfortable, joyful and peaceful as possible, welcomed the creation of an entrance garden.
"It's designed as a place that patients and their family can go out and enjoy themselves," said Beth Karczewski, development and marketing coordinator for the Munson Hospice House.
Landscape designer, Mary Swift, donated her time to help design the garden, in part as a tribute to her mother who used hospice services at the end of her life.
"It was such a wonderful experience, to have the hospice involved. I wanted to be part of this when I found out about this project," said Swift, who used traditional plants like day lilies and grasses that are hearty and resilient in the garden designed to complement and enhance the building's architecture.
Once Swift decided on the concept for the garden, she enlisted the help of 25 master gardeners to install the plants.
"It really became a labor of love," Swift said.
The five Germaine children, who dedicated a memorial plaque in the garden area, appreciate the efforts of Swift and her army of volunteers.
"It's really just lovely," Germaine-Easterle said.
"Though you cannot always see the birds singing; if you listen with your heart you can always hear their song," - in loving memory of Charles and Catherine Germaine, from their children.