Memory Box
In early 1997, The Memory Box Artists Program came alive because of a generous idea from Rosemary Armesto. This program allows artist and crafters to use their creativity to benefit others by creating hand-crafted Memory Boxes to be given by Hospital bereavement counselors and nurses to the families of newborn infants who die in the hospital or are stillborn. To learn more about this program and their history, go to their website: Tole Friend’s Memory Boxes Association
In March 2001, Our membership voted to pursue the Memory Box Program and work with Marie Gemmil, the coordinator at the time. Members volunteered to teach classes for the program. We had a skit and painted them at retreat one year.
Starting in December 2007, we were able to have classes the first Tuesday of every month through the grace and generosity of the Lindell Bank & Trust Co. 5500 Mexico Road, St. Peters, who allowed us to use one of their board rooms at the bank.
With the arrival of COVID-19, our Chapter suspended the class at Lindell Bank & Trust starting in April 2020. During the rest of 2020 and all of 2021, members continued painting Memory Boxes on their own. When groups were able to meet again after COVID restrictions were lifted, we used a program room at the Spencer Library in St. Charles County from January 2022 through March 2022.
We were again graced with generosity from Fairwinds – River’s Edge at 600 River’s Edge Drive, St Charles, MO, who provide the use of a room starting in April 2022. We now meet the second Tuesday of every month in one of their program rooms.
By July 2022 the chapter has painted and donated over 10,000 memory boxes to hospitals participating in the program. Members have also donated cash to purchase more memory boxes and pay for shipping. Thanks to so many who have individually or in small groups donated their time and money to keep us a viable part of the program.
If you wish to help our chapter, we welcome any donations. All the money will be used to buy paper mâché boxes and help us with the mailing cost. Please make your check or money order out to: Gateway Decorative Artists
Send to:
Donna Wessel, treasurer
GDA – Memory Box Program
9765 Lilly Jean Drive
St. Louis, MO 63134
Testimonials
April 14, 2011
Hello, this message is for Ginger German who created the lovely memory box for my family.
I just wanted to express my gratitude for this memory box. Our little boy, Brian, died an hour after his birth last Tuesday, April 5. This box is a wonderful place to keep the items we have to remember him by – an outfit he wore, pictures, and other items. We had a small service for Brian yesterday at All Souls cemetery near our home in Pennsylvania. He will rest in the baby section. We know that he will be with us always as our guardian angel.
Thanks again, so much, for what you did for us.
God bless you and your organization.
Kathy
April 8, 2011
My daughter Laken was born April 8th of last year. Tomorrow will be her 1st heavenly birthday. Before leaving the hospital last year I was given a beautiful memory box with the sweetest little lamb painted on it. I didn’t have a lot to put in to it to remember my daughter at the time, but as the year went by I have collected things that reminded me of her. Tonight I took it from the shelf and was going through her things and came across the name Ann Mohrman, on the inside of the lid. I want to send a big thank you to your organization and to Ann. I know a lot of love went into making this memory box and it sure has meant the world to me. Thank you for what you do!
Melissa
June 20, 2008
Please thank Donna Wessel and the other Gateway Decorative Artists who sent the beautiful memory boxes. Your memory boxes will add that special personal touch to our current beeavement program and are greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Christina, RN, BSN in Arizona.
July 12, 2008
I just wanted to send you and email thanking you for the memory box I received for my daughter Sophie. It means a lot to have something handmade by someone who doesn’t know me. Every time I look at that box I know that it was made by someone who didn’t know me or my daughter just because they care about people. Thank you again,
Emily, MI
August 26, 2008
On behalf of the families who have and will experience a perinatal loss. I would like to extend a sincere thank you for the beautiful memory heart boxes. The work that you have done is beautiful and will providea lasting memory to our mourning families.
Diane, RN, BSN
December 4, 2008
Dear Ms Falk,
From the botton of my heart, my husband and I thank you for the generosity of your organization. My husband and I lost our son. Our small consulation at the time sas a beautiful memory box we reciived from the hospital to put our son’s things in as a keepsake. One that your organization painted. I can’t thank you enough for providing these boxes for those of us who are so consumed in greif, we wouldn’t have thought of having something so sweet to keep.
Krista, MI