Cancer patient Carolyn Worthington often sat in the Gagnon au bon pain outdoor cafe, waiting for her ride after treatment. She knew the area had tremendous potential to be transformed into a lovely, year-round garden.
With the help of garden club friends from Madison and New Vernon and the Women’s Association of Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC), a garden fund was established. This past June, shovels of soil were lifted and expert hands assembled hydrangeas, roses, hostas and lilies into a beautiful array of color.
“For a brief moment, everyone can get lost in the beauty of the flowers and forget their troubles,” says Jean Marie Rosone, LCSW, Integrative Medicine coordinator, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. “This is what a healing environment looks like.”
Ms. Worthington saw photos of the finished product, just prior to losing her struggle with cancer in July.
“She was thrilled that it happened,” says a WAMMC member. “We hung a full-size poster of the space in her bedroom. At the end, she had the garden in her room every day.”
Pictured: Diners enjoying Carolyn's parting gift