Having spent four decades as an obstetrics nurse caring for patients with high-risk pregnancies, Nancy Sawyer understands the immense difficulty families face in dealing with the loss of a loved one, particularly an infant. Through her experience in providing comfort and support to grieving families, she recognized the ongoing need for a space where they could remember, reflect, and heal.
“I envisioned a sanctuary where families could find solace not just in the immediate aftermath of loss, but in the days, weeks, months, and years to come,” said Sawyer.
Thus, the conception of the Garden of the Sleeping Angels came to be.
Sawyer and her husband reside on a 5-acre property in Orono, situated on the shores of Lake Classen. What started as a single garden in their backyard in 2012 has grown to 15 gardens where those who have experienced loss can come to breathe, cry, meditate, be present, and find peace.
Those who visit the garden are invited to place a memorial, a small metal angel, to honor their loved one. Sawyer keeps a record of all the memorials and where they are placed.
“I really want the gardens to be a place of gratitude, celebration, and remembrance,” said Sawyer. “People deal with their grief in so many ways, and I try to meet them where they’re at. The public seems to think there is a timeline on grieving, but it’s never really done.”
While the word “angel”’ may imply a belief in the afterlife, and while Sawyer herself holds personal spiritual beliefs, she also emphasizes that grief doesn’t necessarily have to be tied to a spiritual connection
“We strive to be a place that is welcoming, accepting, and non-judgmental,” Sawyer emphasized.
Sawyer also has dogs, cats, and horses that add to the ambience and serve as ambassadors.
Throughout the year, families are welcome to come to see and spend time in the gardens any time during daylight hours. Families are also welcome to have birthday parties, memorial services, or other such events for their lost children. Sawyer simply requests that people let her know that they are going to drop by.
In addition to providing a sanctuary for grieving families, the Garden of the Sleeping Angels hosts two annual events: a plant sale the first weekend of June and a Wave of Light on Oct. 15. The plant sale serves as a fundraiser and a means to raise awareness about the garden, while the Wave of Light provides a poignant day of remembrance. October holds special significance for Sawyer and the families, as it is recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
“During the Wave of Light, we light candles in memory of the children, over 250 of them,” said Sawyer. “I also read the names of each of the children who have memorials in the garden. Last year, a woman who had lost twins played harp during the three-hour event.”
The garden is also home to a famous memorial—Amiir Nelson, the son of Minnesota singer Prince and his former wife Mayte Garcia. The couple’s son was born in 1996 and passed away six days after his birth.
To honor their son’s legacy, Prince and Garcia started a charity called Live 4 Love that Garcia continues to run. Recently, the Garden of the Sleeping Angels was one of the non-profit organizations that was honored with a grant from Live 4 Love to help fund operations.
While Sawyer initially started the garden to help families suffering from infant loss, during the pandemic Sawyer realized that people dealing with any sort of loss could benefit from visiting the gardens and decided to open it to everyone.
The Garden of Sleeping Angels isn’t just limited to the immediate community either. Sawyer gets requests from people all over the United States who would like to have a memorial.
Keeping up all the gardens is a significant task that requires lots of time and money. There is plenty of weeding and watering to be done.
“Spring is an especially busy time that requires a lot of cleaning up from the winter,” said Sawyer. “I’m always seeking volunteers who are willing to donate their time and talents to help keep up the gardens or assist with other aspects of running a non-profit.”
The Garden of the Sleeping Angels is located at 3405 County Road 6, Orono. For more information or to request a memorial, visit https://gardenofthesleepingangels.com/ .
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