Ohio’s Hospice welcomed community members for the 2025 Celebrating Life’s Stories^® Butterfly Release, a beautiful ceremony to remember and honor special people who have touched lives and live on in memories.

The annual event provides a meaningful opportunity for families and community members to embrace the vulnerability that comes with grief and loss, trust the healing process and emerge stronger through shared remembrance and hope.

The ceremony featured a reflection by Ohio’s Hospice Chaplain Teresa McClennon and a harp performance by volunteer Jane Thurman, creating a peaceful atmosphere for attendees to honor their loved ones.

“The Butterfly Release offers our community a beautiful way to celebrate the lives of those we’ve loved and lost,” said a spokesperson for Ohio’s Hospice. “Each butterfly released represents a life celebrated, a memory cherished and a legacy that continues to inspire us. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us in this meaningful tradition.”

Ohio’s Hospice extends special appreciation to the dedicated volunteers and staff members who made the event possible, including Belinda Orrill, Becky Schock, Jill Lewis, Aly Sherman, Don Fodor, Sherry Trick, Louanne O’Neal, Nancy Mannix, Tosha Reed and Sydney Munch. Special thanks to volunteer harpist Jane Thurman and Chaplain Teresa McClennon for their meaningful contributions to the ceremony.

The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, led by Presenting Sponsor Upper Valley Medical Center. Additional support came from VFW Post 9582, The Messenger Press, Bruns General Contracting, Huntington Bank, Woodland Cemetery, Baird Funeral Home, Palmer Bolt & Supply, and S. Howard Cheney in memory of Diane Cheney.

Ohio’s Hospice plans to continue this cherished tradition, with tentative plans for the next Butterfly Release on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.