Memorial Committee

Memorial Stone Ceremony

On the first of June….a beautiful sunny day….residents and staff of Penobscot Shores gathered near our gazebo on the waterfront to return our memorial stones to the sea.

This inaugural event was the idea of resident Connie Woitowitz. She shared with those who gathered that this was a practice she and her colleagues would do during her time as a hospice nurse. The members of Penobscot Shores Memorial Committee thought this would be a wonderful tradition. So, stones were collected in early Summer 2021 and placed in a basket in our Library for residents, family or other visitors to carry on the tradition here. Written instructions near the collected stones, explain the process and encourage anyone who’s spirit is called to do so, use the provided markers to inscribe the name of a person, pet or event that they wish to honor on one of the collected stones and place it in a basket. June 1st was our day to take the basket of stones and return them back to the sea in a ceremony of remembrance.

On the beautiful early Summer day, we sang Amazing Grace and the following poem was read.

When I am gone….

When I am gone, release me…let me go

I have so many things to see and do.

You must not tie yourself to me with tears

Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you love,

you can only guess, how much you gave me in happiness.

I thank you for the love each have shown,

but now it is time I travelled along.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust

It is only for a while that we must part

so bless those memories within your heart.

I will not be far away, for life goes on.

so if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near

Andi if you listen with your heart, you will hear

All my love around you, soft and clear.

Then when you must come this way alone,

I will greet you with a smile and “Welcome Home”

Anonymous

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