Each year Marian Hospice invites community members to recognize the loss of a loved one or friend in a community celebration of remembrance called Light Up a Life.
The ecumenical event, held in Santa Maria and Lompoc, is also a fundraiser for Marian Hospice programs and services, and includes a reading of names into a memorial book, a memorial tree with lights, music, prayer and words of encouragement for grieving family members and friends.
Light Up a Life ceremonies will be at 6:30 tonight at Marian Medical Center, 1400 East Church St. in Santa Maria; and 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Centennial Park, corner of Cypress Avenue and H Street, in Lompoc.
Memorial stars are available for purchase, and can be a keepsake. The lights on the memorial trees represent the people lost and serve as a reminder of their lives.
This year’s ceremonies will recognize two former patients — the late Geraldine “Gerry” Lange and the late Bill Train — at the Santa Maria and Lompoc ceremonies, respectively.
Lange retired from Marian Medical Center in 2006 after 32 years of service. After her diagnosis with lung disease, she entered Marian Hospice in February to stay at home with her family. Lange died June 17 at the age of 77.
Train worked at the Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang for more than 25 years as a golf pro. Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005, he entered hospice care at the recommendation of his doctor. Train died on Aug. 29. He was 88.
Hospice of San Luis Obispo County is holding similar ceremonies at various locations in the South County. The first was Wednesday night at Ramona Garden Park in Grover Beach, followed by another a 6 tonight at the Village Gazebo in Arroyo Grande.
Nipomo’s annual Hospice tree-lighting ceremony is set for 6 p.m. Friday at the Kaleidoscope Inn, 130 E. Dana St.
The week’s ceremonies will conclude at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Pismo Beach at the Shore Cliff Lodge (South Gazebo).
In San Luis Obispo County this year, 10 Hospice Memorial Trees from Arroyo Grande to Cambria and Pismo Beach to San Luis Obispo will be illuminated during the tree-lighting ceremonies as part of the 24th annual “Light Up a Life” program.
The trees stay lit throughout the holiday season.
December 4, 2008
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