Families find loved ones on Decoration Day

Administrator | Jun 11, 2015 | Comments 0

Gary McKenzie and George Bellwood. Peggy deWitt photo

George and Rose Bellwood came to Decoration Day to take the opportunity to find George’s name sake, his Dad’s brother George Bellwood. With the help of Sandra Latchford, Glenwood Chair of Board of Directors and Gary McKenzie’s determination they were able to find the headstone among the other 15,000 buried there and flowers were placed at Uncle George’s grave.

They were among visitors remembering loved ones at Glenwood Cemetery’s Decoration Day.

Barb and Gary McKenzie come up from Ohio each year for this annual event, and this year they reminisced about their much-loved daughter Erin who rests in the County; and the song Four Strong Winds by Ian Tyson made famous by Peter Paul and Mary was sung in her honour.

Music by Ken Hudson welcomed everyone to Picton’s historic Victorian cemetery as he played his guitar and sang, with these sounds resonating beautifully throughout the grounds.

During the early 1900s, it was customary for families to set aside a special day of remembrance each year at Glenwood. Flowers and wreaths were placed on the graves of loved ones, prayers were said, and many visitors just quietly strolled throughout the park-like grounds.

Decoration Day was reintroduced to Glenwood a few years ago and it is gaining the appreciation of many who have lost loved ones.

Ken Hudson and Lorain Sine

This year many visitors trickled in and out all afternoon, walking through the roads and footpaths, decorating graves and remembering loved ones.

At 2 o’clock, everyone gathered in the Stone Chapel where Reverend Audrey Whitney conducted the memorial service with music provided by Lorain Sine accompanied by Ken Hudson.

The service also provided an opportunity for people to pay their respect to family members and share memories.