Our Memory Garden
Our UUCWNC Congregation Remembers. [under construction — also
An annual In Memoriam UUCWNC Video might be possible – just need team to accomplish > see example here https://plannedgiving.uua.org/in-memoriam-books-and-videos
We Honor and Remember
History of UUCWNC Remembrance Garden.
[under construction — BEGIN Following written by Michelle Masson: 708.391.5538 michelle.marie.mom@gmail.com and submitted Sept 23, 2023. Next steps: Edit, and review with Comms Team. ]
HISTORY OF the UUFW MEMORIAL GARDEN*
On Sunday November 9th, 2008 the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington* (UUFW) dedicated the Memorial Garden and Meditation Walk, adding another sacred space to the grounds of our beloved church.
The creation of the Memorial Garden and Meditation Walk is a long-held vision that now has many stones honoring members who have passed on. It has also served as a Sunday school classroom and a place of contemplation and meditation.
The vision for the Memorial Garden has been kept alive for over 30 years by the Remembrance Committee, headed by Thelma Worksman, Pat Prosser and others. In 2005 Michelle Masson invigorated a team to make the Garden a reality. Max Feinbloom designed the garden with input from the Memorial Garden committee. Many other people contributed to the vision, design, implementation, funding, labor, materials, and accessories.
Among those who took part in the creation of the Memorial Garden and Meditation Walk (in no particular order): Sanjay and Sonali Batish & family, Maggie Parrish, Bonnie Mattson, Ellen Sutliff, Bill Millette, Bill Bartlett, Max Feinbloom, John Colter, Haze Ackermann, Jeannie Lennon, Bruce and Debbie Dillard, Alexis Roberts, Bruce Kenney, Bill Rathbun, Jake Regennas, Toni Aberson, Thelma Worksman, Pat Prosser, Don and Sue Wood, Beverly Cree, Patricia Coe, Luis Cruz, Polly Tait, Tiffany, Ben, and Isabella Ericksen, Jack and Phyllis Gubermann, Don Houvenin, Ken Johnson, Alison Klein, Robert, Cindy, and Sean Kienitz, Bill Murray, Nicolle Nicolle, Angie Reeves, Roxie and Dave Morison and Michelle Masson. The 3 benches were donated by Bonnie Mattson in memory of her son; Haze Ackerman in memory of her son and husband; the third bench was donated by the Memorial Garden Committee.
DONATIONS
We still rely on donations for the upkeep of the Memorial Garden and Benches.
The benches need to be replaced, our recent stopgap measure was to polyurethane them, but we also welcome anyone who is interested in donating a bench to do so. is this accurate?
To make a one-time contribution please leave our website and go to our secure Online Donations platform. Be sure to enter the Name of Fundraiser or Event as “The Memorial Garden”.
{QUESTION: should we obtain permissions to use on the website all of these first and last names from the persons or families? from Jo}
Please contact anyone of us on the Memorial Garden Team if you are interested. Insert @uucwnc.org email address
TO PLACE A STONE
We welcome congregation members who would like to do so, to please place an engraved stone in the garden. Please contact our Memorial Garden Team so we may ‘record’ your engraved stone, and include a picture on this Memorial webpage. Double check this detail
Note: The Stone Garden on Market St. is currently the only ‘local’ business where you can place an order for an engraved stone. Double check this detail
Ad Hoc Memorial Garden Team Members:
Michelle Masson, Jeannie Lennon, Bob Kurowski, Roxie Morison, Bonnie Matson
*Note: the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington is now known as the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wilmington, NC.
ABOVE SECTION BY MICHELLE
‘STONES’ SECTION BY MICHELLE
Stones:
- Shannon Coe | donated by Patricia Coe in memory of her daughter
- Bob & Dottie Collins | members or the fellowship for many years, serving in many leadership roles.
- Frederick P. “Fritz” Ackermann, IV | Haze Ackermann’s husband. Haze also donated one of the benches and a sculpture by Wilmington artist Michael Van Hout that can be see up in the tree above one of the benches — look closely
- Evelyn Maiwald | a lively elderly lady who was a friend to all
- The Colters, John and Anne | donated by their daughter. John served on the Memorial Garden committee, Anne served on the Caring Committee, while each were involved in many other UU activities
- Ralph Robins | served on the board, and played the trumpet.
- Tom Fulda | husband of Martha Fulda
- Poet Eliana [ any details ?? ]
- Ruth Saylor | Michelle Masson’s beloved grandmother
- Deepuk Batish | brother of Sanjay Batish- they also donated the Buddha head that is in the hall of the church today
- Kathy you live in our hearts | donated by Kami Okeefe in memory of her good friend Kathy
- In Memory of Ruth & Peter Fleck | donated by Interim Minister Elaine Peresluka
- One More Book for David | donated by Maggie Parish in memory of her husband, David Landy
YOU REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS
Our congregation remembers and honors those who have died.
2024
Name, Year of Death
Name, Year of Death
2023
Name, Year of Death
Name, Year of Death
Suggest not using exact date (month day) of death on this webpage – helps retain some identity security, Jo
To include your loved one’s name here on this digital page, or to add a stone in remembrance to our Garden beyond Dobkin Hall, please contact………………………. [under construction] Note people may choose both, or one or the other
[ BEGIN Jo Section:
For Reference when discussing with other UUCWNC Teams to develop this website section:
UUCWNC Remembrance Garden is designated for memorializing members and friends, and for honoring individuals or occasions.
Other UU Websites Memorial Garden Pages for Reference:
UUC Charlottesville pdf brochure
UU Catskills (note they have land designated to shelter interred ashes in biodegradable containers, or as a Scatter Garden)
Greenville UU Fellowship – a much larger congregation with larger resources
EXAMPLE of a Brick ordering image
The UUCWNC Remembrance Garden affords a serene setting for tributes. Individuals or committees may purchase engraved bricks to honor a person or occasion. Wording is at the discretion of the purchaser; language should be appropriate for the setting. UUCWNC does not maintain a cemetery.
[ END : For Reference when discussing with other UUCWNC Teams to develop this website section.
END Jo Section]
