‘It’s just really impactful’: Remembering loved ones at Wilsonville’s St. Francis church

Under a cloudy sky and rain on Sunday, June 2, people gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church to honor loved ones whose remains lie in the Memorial Gardens.

The church has two Memorial Gardens that hold the ashes of over 100 people. An annual remembrance has been held at the church for the last 22 years to honor those who rest in the gardens.

“I’m proud of the people I know at the church that honor this day with reverence and joy,” said Jane Domagalski, a longtime member of the church who was involved in organizing the first remembrance, adding that community members look forward to it.

Invitations are mailed to family members of those interred in the gardens each year, including some who have moved away from the area or no longer attend the church. During the June 2 service, the names of each person resting in the gardens were read, followed by the ringing of a bell. Attendees were given pink roses to place on name plaques in the gardens, honoring those who rest there.

Domagalski noted that the gardens are a peaceful place to meditate and remember those who died. Church member Doug Horton said having a memorial garden next to a church is an old tradition, and allows people to have loved ones close while worshiping.

“We have people out there (in the memorial garden) that are close with us, in spirit,” Horton said. “And it’s very important to a lot of people to have their family members close.”

Linda Hammersley, whose husband died in June 2020 and rests in the Memorial Garden, said she knew almost all of the people who are interred in the gardens.

“It’s difficult to honor your loved one on a daily basis. But coming here and being able to celebrate life and celebrate their lives is an experience that I think everyone would love to see,” Hammersley said, noting that the event offers a place for people to worship and cherish their loved ones and community.

Hammersley’s daughter, Lorie Jersey, said she attended the remembrance for years before her father died. She grew up attending the church and said she knew many of those interred in the gardens, with some having served as her priest or attended her wedding.

To Jersey, the event symbolizes the celebration of life, friendships and people who were important to the church members.

“From my own immediate family, my father served (at the church) for many years, and so to be remembered, to be celebrated, it’s just really impactful,” Jersey said.