What’s good in the Valley? Memorial Healing Garden Unveiled at Renfrew Victoria Hospital

A beautiful tribute to an important community leader was unveiled at Renfrew Victoria Hospital on Tuesday, August 25th.

John Steele wasn’t just a visionary of Renfrew, he was a talented musician and local historian throughout the Ottawa Valley. The Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation wanted to honour Steele’s legacy in a long-lasting, comforting way.

The foundation unveiled the John Steele Memorial Healing Garden outside the Nephrology entrance of the hospital. The garden includes a water feature, an in-memoriam wall and wind chimes to honour Steele’s love for music. The garden will be illuminated with LED lighting for enjoyment day or night.

Executive Director of the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation, Patti Dillabough says the foundation wanted to do something really special for Steele and his contribution to the hospital.

Dillabough goes on to say that the meaning behind the healing garden is that nature is restorative and the garden can help do the same to heal.

The in-memoriam wall features plaques that are available for purchase to have a loved one’s name engraved and mounted to continue their memory and legacy.

The garden was also made possible by the generous help of Farrell’s Landscaping’s design and creation, Milliken’s Garden Centre’s plants that surround the garden and RBC.

Anyone can find the garden outside hospital entrance E near the P2 parking lot. For more information on purchasing a plaque, visit the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation’s website.

(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)