April 28, 2016
Gayle Olson poses with artist Shane Seib next to an iron memorial tree he created for Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. Olson inscribed a leaf with her husband Edward’s name on the wall behind the tree to signify a donation in his memory.
Story by Kerry Robins & Sarah Megran; Photo by Sarah Megran
RED DEER — For Gayle Olson, the first of March is a date she’ll never forget. “It was exactly 10 years ago today that we held my husband’s memorial service,” she says. “This is definitely a special day.”
The 73-year-old Red Deer woman spoke about her late husband Edward at the unveiling of the Eternal Tree art installation, an event hosted by the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation on March 1 at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
The timing of the unveiling was perfect for Olson, as the tree received a special leaf in Edward’s memory. After his passing, Olson donated $100,000 to health care, of which $14,500 is signified by his memorial leaf. Her $14,500 donation to the foundation helped fulfill Edward’s wish to provide a new bed for palliative care at the hospital where he spent his last days.
The ceremony also memorialized other special people who’ve passed, and whose family and relatives have made donations of more than $1,500 to health care in their honour. Each tree leaf, inscribed with a name, is dedicated to the deceased.
So far, more than 100 leaves now ‘grow’ across the wall where the tree sits in the main entrance foyer of the hospital.
“It’s nice to come in and look at his name, and say, ‘We did it’,” says Olson.
Iaian Park, Executive Director of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, says he’s is fond of the tree: “It’s a magnificent piece of artwork and a lasting memorial for families who want to remember their loved ones in a special way.”
Shane Seib, the artist who created the iron tree, shared his own personal tie to the hospital, where his sister passed away last year.
“My sister’s name is on the wall,” says Seib, “and welding this tree was a special way I could give back to the hospital and honour my sister at the same time.”
The tree, which took about a week to complete, complements other artwork Seib has created for the foundation over the years.
Park says the tree offers people a place to ‘visit’ their loved one.
“Everyone who passes the hallway each day can enjoy this piece of art — it’s a nice sentiment for our donors,” he adds.
Olson says she’s touched to have been the first to place her husband’s leaf on the wall, and fondly recalls the good care he received in the hospital.
“My mother passed away a year before Edward on the same unit,” she adds, “and the staff have been like family to me.”
For more information, please visit www.rdrhfoundation.com.
