November 8, 2002

Memorial service for young patients

Family, friends and caregivers of young patients who have died at the hospital, gathered in the O'Keeffe Auditorium for the 11th annual Pediatric Memorial Service Nov. 3. The program is designed to honor the memories of the children and to provide comfort and support to the families and staff who loved them.

The service included poetry and spiritual readings by family members, special remembrances from parents, presentations by MGH staff and musical performances by the Wakefield Repertory Theater Group and the St. Florence Choir. Before the service, families personalized cloud-shaped fabric, which will be assembled to form a memorial quilt to be displayed at the MGH in the spring.

The service was sponsored by MassGeneral Hospital for Children's Comfort and Support After Loss Team, comprised of social workers, nurses, clergy, child-life specialists and physicians.

Guest musician Sean Byrne delivers a song to the children and their families.