A now annual COVID memorial ceremony was once again held by local northwest Bronx residents, including Friends of Jerome Park, at Fort Washington Walk at the corner of Reservoir Avenue and University Avenue in Jerome Park on Saturday, May 13, to commemorate those lost to COVID-19 over the course of the recent pandemic.

 

On Oct. 23, 2021, a tree-planting ceremony took place at the same location to memorialize all victims of the pandemic. Three of the trees were seen this year growing very well.

 

Marianne Kraft, one of organizers of the event, previously told Norwood News that trees were the perfect symbol to honor those lost, since the coronavirus is a respiratory illness and trees provide oxygen to the planet.

Science tells us that through the process of photosynthesis, leaves pull in carbon dioxide and water and use the energy of the sun to convert this into chemical compounds like sugars that feed the tree. As a by-product of that chemical reaction, oxygen is produced and released by trees. During some prepared remarks, Kraft said, in both English and Spanish, “[The trees were] a gift of oxygen, beauty and hospitality.”

 

The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music gospel choir sang for the occasion, and Fr. Joe Fanco from Our Lady of Angels parish gave a blessing. Meanwhile, the names of those who have passed were read out by Marlene Rosa and Chris Rosa. Lia Tejeda Garcia read a poem called “Let’s Plant a Tree” during the event, while Richard Sherman read a poem called “Monday Note from Nature.”

 

As of May 13, according to the World Health Organization, 6,927,378 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus. Meanwhile, according to New York State Department of Health, 62,520 people have died from COVID-19 across the State, including 5,103 people in The Bronx.

Some of the names read on the day included Paul Waylonis, Luis Tovar, Diego Rivera, Esperanza Reyes, Angie, Janet Lee Sanchez, Rebecca Santiago, Elvira Montilla, Nancy Sheehan, Fr. Joe Bisignano, Mr. & Mrs. Patterson, and Charlie Guglielmo.