Tree of Memories to return for 25th service

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This article was published 29/11/2022 (1083 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After a quarter-century of helping those who are grieving through the holidays by honouring their lost loved ones with a ceremony of music and light, it’s safe to say the Brockie Donovan Tree of Memories has itself become a holiday tradition.

And, having weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced organizers to limit the number of participants over the last two years, the ceremony makes a comeback this year with an in-person gathering for its 25th service.

“We do see a lot of familiar faces every year, and it’s great that people actually make the service a part of their tradition,” said Lisa Hammond, Brockie Donovan’s after-care and community relations professional.

Meant to be a time to spend with loved ones, the holidays can be especially tough for those who have lost someone. The Tree of Memories provides people a chance to honour their departed loved ones at a busy time of year.

Those who regularly attend should note that the ceremony has switched locations this year. With the traditional site, Central United Church, no longer available, the service will be held at the McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church on Thursday at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether they have used Brockie Donovan’s services or not.

As in previous years, prior to the service those in attendance will adorn a 14-foot Christmas tree with an ornament that carries the name of their lost loved one.

Then, during the ceremony, six families selected for the purpose will step forward to light a special candle that represents both their loved one and the role they played in their lives — a child, a father/grandfather, a mother/grandmother, a sibling, a spouse and a friend of the community.

This year, Sioux Valley First Nation Chief Jennifer Bone will light a special candle in memory of residents of the Sioux Valley Dakota Oyate Lodge personal care home who died, Hammond said.

In turn, those candles will then be used to light the ones held by attendees until the entire congregation’s candles are lit.

“We have a lovely service filled with light and music,” Hammond said. “You can imagine having 600 candles lit.”

Following the service, the ornaments are available for those honouring their loved ones to take home and hang on their own trees.

Jen Pilling has taken part in the service since losing her mother Charlotte Graham to cancer in 2014. It has now become a tradition for her family to attend and it gives them peace, she said.

“It’s a beautiful evening,” Pilling said. “You’re surrounded by people who have been through the same grief. It’s really a peaceful evening and a night of reflection, and community and connection with other people.”

It’s something Pilling has found so helpful that she has recommended the service to a friend who recently lost her mother. This year, that friend will attend for the first time.

This year’s event will be the first public in-person ceremony in two years after pandemic safety measures turned it into small, private ceremonies not open to the public, although last year the service was streamed online.

Hammond said that, prior to the pandemic, as many as 600 to 700 people attended the service each year to pay tribute to those who have died.

“We just hope that by honouring the memory of those people that it will provide some peace as they face the holidays without them.”

Those who wish to attend are asked to call 204-727-0694 to confirm attendance and order an ornament. Attendees are asked to arrive about half an hour prior to the start of the service so the ornaments can be placed on the tree before it begins.

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