Saint Francis Auxiliary Holds Annual Remembrance Way Dedication Ceremony

The Auxiliary of Saint Francis held its annual Remembrance Way Dedication Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12. The event honors recipients, families, and friends with new inscribed bricks that are placed in Remembrance Way. Located outside the main entrance of the hospital, Remembrance Way is a pathway through the garden that offers individuals or groups an opportunity to give a lasting gift in memory or in honor of a loved one or to commemorate a special event.

This year, 27 new bricks were placed in Remembrance Way. Attendees of the Dedication Ceremony were welcomed by Ranjana Chawla, President of the Auxiliary, followed by a blessing presented by Sister Sally Hodgdon, CSJ, Provincial of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery. Valerie Powell-Stafford, FACHE, President of Saint Francis, offered remarks, while Susan Joyse, Vice President of the Auxiliary spoke on behalf of the organization and led the recognition of the newly placed bricks. In addition, Susan Zybert and Amy Eisen from Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in West Simsbury provided musical selections.

“It has always been a very moving event,” said Ranjana. “We have music and as we call out the names on the newly installed bricks, we hand out yellow roses to the families of those memorialized and those honored.”

This year, among those family members present was Auxiliary board member Donna Wirthman. She received a rose in memory of her sister, Geraldine Wirthman, DMD. “I’d purchased a brick for my parents when they died,” Donna recalls. “Every once in a while, someone I know walks by that brick and mentions it to me. So when my sister Gerry died, I thought of this. My brother Richard and I have such a hole in our hearts. I want Gerry’s name to be seen and read. I want it recognized that someone loved her enough to buy a Remembrance Way brick.”