Blue Christmas is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. Some Christian traditions hold a service that honors people who have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief. Saint Mary’s held a Blue Christmas Memorial Event on December 21 to remember colleagues that, since 2020, have passed while serving the Saint Mary’s community.
Held outside of the hospital near the flagpoles, the event was an idea born from the Inpatient Rehabilitation Team’s desire to remember a beloved colleague who passed away earlier this year. A special space, adjacent to the flagpoles, was created to remember the colleagues. Pavers were installed to guide visitors to an area where a monument, which will hold small placards inscribed with the colleague’s names and departments, will be erected. Benches and landscaping will also be installed in the spring.
Mission Leader, Stephanie Boccuzzi, guided the service while colleagues shared readings and spoke about the colleagues being remembered. The memorial concluded with a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria by ICU nurse, Katie Weiser, RN.