Every year, during the summer, Mountains Community Hospital holds a special observance honoring loved ones who have passed away. Hosted by the members of the Mountains Community Hospital Auxiliary, the lovely ceremony takes place in the tranquil setting of the hospital’s rose garden, overlooking Lake Arrowhead. This year’s event will be on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
If you have a deceased family member, friend or someone else you would like us to honor, please contact Christi Schneider at (909) 337-6940 no later than Aug. 1, 2025. A suggested donation of $25 from each family will go toward the care of the garden and a new rose bush for the ceremony. After a sharing of memories, everyone gathers around the rose garden to observe the rose selected for the year and recite Psalm 23. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. MCH has been sponsoring this event for over 50 years. It is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge a family member or friend.
The tradition of the Rose Memorial Ceremony began in 1951 when Sister Theresa of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange started the original heart-shaped rose garden soon after the hospital was built. The sisters maintained the garden until the property was sold to a nonprofit organization in 1964. The hospital Auxiliary was also founded during these years to assist the sisters and the hospital. In 1967, an Auxiliary member and member of the Hilltoppers Garden Club began the rose garden renovation, donating hundreds of hours to this labor of love. The Hilltoppers replaced and rejuvenated the roses, adding new areas to the garden. In 2008, the Hilltoppers disbanded, and the hospital Auxiliary became responsible for the ceremony, and MCH for the care of the rose garden. The Rose Memorial Ceremony continues as a beautiful tradition for our mountain communities.
Next time you visit the hospital, we hope you’ll take time to enjoy the rose garden. For more information about this event, please contact Christi Schneider, Rose Memorial chairperson, at (909) 337-6940.
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