Blue spruce transplanted at Maplewood

Tree a remembrance of Robert Rae

July 25, 2011 -- Deb Bartlett

A four-year-old blue spruce tree sits in the backyard of Maplewood, a gift from a woman who wants to remember her dad.

The tree was one of three planted by Robert Rae in the yards of family members. Rae, a resident at Maplewood, an OMNI Health Care-owned home in Brighton, passed away earlier this year.

His daughter Tracy Goody knew she was going to be moving, and didn't want to leave the tree behind at her old house.

Her dad's last residence was at Maplewood. Goody called Maplewood to see if she could transplant the tree on their grounds.

Regardless of where she lived, she would "always have someplace to come to," and remember her dad, says Rachel Corkery, Maplewood's life enrichment co-ordinator.

Staff members at Maplewood were happy to accommodate Goody's request.

The tree is about four feet tall, and was transplanted in Maplewood's backyard.

Tracy also created a little ceramic plate, adorned with hearts and a tree that reads "In Memory of Robert Rae 2011".

Rachel says there are other trees planted in memory of residents, including another blue spruce, and a Jasper maple.

Does your home have unique ways of remembering residents or staff? Please share your story by calling Deb in the newsroom at 800-294-0051, or email deb(at)axiomnews.ca.






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