To Repurpose and Remember
The Garden Club of Barrington brings joy to others while remembering one of its most beloved members, Sue McGrath.
Last October, The Garden Club of Barrington began the Repurposing Flower Project, one that was inspired by two members. Emily Solberg noticed a wealth of flowers in perfect condition in a dumpster, and it occurred to her that they could still have life and give joy to people who are ill if repackaged and delivered to others. She was a new club member at the time—about three years ago—having been invited to join by GCB member, Sue McGrath.
“Sue was connected with everyone,” Solberg says. “So I asked her to partner on this project. We talked about it, and I suggested that if she would be the voice within the club and community—that I would be the worker bee.”
The two met with JourneyCare in Barrington as a potential recipient of the repurposed flowers for their clientele. The partnership fell into place. “It was Sue’s job to contact places that might host events, and thus have the flowers,” Solberg said. “She contacted The Onion Pub, Barrington Hills Country Club, and others. Then on Sundays, I would pick up the leftover flowers and we’d get club members to help us to repurpose them.”
Solberg says Sue was a blessing to her personally, and to the project. “She was open to ideas, never tried to fix things, and was great at just winging it with me,” she said. “When Sue became too ill to travel from home, I would call her and give her updates on the project, to keep her informed. I saw Sue the last week of her life, and was encouraged by her to keep the repurposing project going, that she believed it was important.”
Sue McGrath was a beloved family and community member who is now missed by all who knew and loved her. She managed through a six-year battle with ovarian cancer until December 14 of last year, yet maintained a positive outlook and the lust for life she was known for.
She received the Jeanne M. Fentiss Award for Service with Grace and Spirit. Sue was also a supporter of Citizens for Conservation and Smart Farm. She was also a founding member of the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation, a member of Barrington Junior Women’s Club, and served as a co-chair of both Safety Town and Barrington’s Fourth of July celebration. Her list of community projects and accomplishments is long.
The Garden Club of Barrington prepared their friend Sue McGrath’s flowers to celebrate her life, and repurposed them thoughtfully to bring joy and comfort to others.
Flowers Are Repurposed at JourneyCare
JourneyCare is the welcome recipient of repurposed flowers—generously donated from people in the community—that are delivered to its patients who are receiving hospice care, most often at home (JourneyCare has 16 beds in its Barrington facility). The traveling staff who cover many counties and towns—some as far as Rockford—graciously deliver the small, but lovely flower gifts to those they visit. The colorful arrangements are wonderful conversation starters, benefitting both giver and receiver. Other larger arrangements are placed within JourneyCare’s waiting areas and other rooms.
After Sue McGrath’s Memorial Service and Life Celebration, the flowers prepared by The Garden Club of Barrington were picked up and delivered to JourneyCare. There, in the large garage, club members gathered in order to quickly deconstruct, trim, sort, and then reconstruct the flowers into smaller vases. They welcome small vase donations and are able to store them in the garage.
To donate flowers, please contact Joan Wolfgram at 847-381-7235, or contact Emily Solberg at emsolberg@sbcgobal.net. Small vases may be donated directly to JourneyCare.
The Garden Club of Barrington Celebrates 90 Years
The Garden Club of America was founded in 1913 to promote greater understanding of the interdependence of horticulture, environmental protection, and community improvement. Today, the volunteer nonprofit organization has 200 member clubs, and about 18,000 members across the United States. Like other CGA clubs, The Garden Club of Barrington, which was founded on October 2, 1925, is a group of dedicated and passionate people who devote their energies and expertise to a wide variety of projects within our community.
Last fall, The Garden Club of Barrington celebrated its 90th anniversary with a benefit event at a club member’s home. Funds were raised for a community project in the future. Members and their spouses enjoyed a festive party to mark this exciting milestone in the club’s history. To learn more about The Garden Club of Barrington’s history, visit www.thegardenclubofbarrington.org/history.