Mountain Community Hospital Honors Our Loved Ones
Rose Memorial Ceremony
Saturday, August 7^th from 2-4:30pm in the MCH Rose Garden

Many of our mountain residents may not be aware that 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, a lovely ceremony takes place in the tranquil setting of our hospital’s rose garden, overlooking Lake Arrowhead. This year’s event will be on Saturday, August 7, from 2 pm-4:30pm.

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 July 16, 2021. A suggested donation of $25 from each family will go towards a new rose plant for the ceremony and an engraved nameplate for each honoree. After 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 those who have lived and worked in our community and have impacted our lives.

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 non-profit 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 care of the rose garden. The Rose Memorial Ceremony continues as a beautiful tradition for our mountain communities.

This ceremony is another way that Mountains Community Hospital reaches out to serve our community. Next time you visit the hospital, please stop by the Rose Memorial boards in the hospital’s main corridor to view your loved one’s plaque along with all that have been honored over the years. For more information about this event, please contact Christi Schneider, Rose Memorial Chairperson, at (909) 337-6940.