We submitted this wish for mom to take a tour of the Corby Rose Garden in Belleville when it blooms during the month of June. Mom loved her rose gardens and I believe that the sight, touch and smell of the gardens would make her happy.

When I was growing up, the front hall tables always showcased a vase or bowl with mom’s flowers. It started every spring with pussy willow branches that Dad would bring home from the golf course. Then massive red, pink and white century old peonies, which filled the house with the most wonderful scent.

This display was changed every week from spring to fall. Fall meant lime green hydrangeas overflowing from an antique jardinière.

Mom’s favourite time in June was when the roses started to bloom. The rose garden was 30 ft. long with many types of hybrid tea rose bushes, all under planted with alyssum and violas. Mom spend many hours tending to her rose garden. Every few days a newly cut fragrant rose blossom would be lovingly placed in crystal rose bowl on the front hall table.
Janet Larsen-Bratberg – Jane’s Daughter

When Jane’s wish came in, I talked to her daughter Janet to let her know that we could definitely make this happen. I wanted to make sure that the roses would be in full bloom so I planned the outing to the Rose Garden at the end of the June. On June 26th we all piled onto the bus to set out on our journey. Once we arrived at the Rose Garden, we took Jane on a long stroll along the pathways to experience the beauty and of the roses. I could tell she was literally in heaven. She kept stopping and telling us how beautiful the roses were. The highlight of the trip was when she bent down and leaned over in her wheelchair to smell the roses. The huge smile that lit up her face said it all! It was so great to be able to fulfill Jane’s wish to visit the Rose Garden so she could once again enjoy her love for roses which were always such a big part of her life. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped us make this happen!
Shelly Hills – Life Enrichment Coordinator