Community Gathers to Honor Loved Ones at Celebrating Life’s Stories® Butterfly Release
More than 250 community members came together at Ohio’s Hospice on Akron Road in Wooster to remember and honor loved ones during the annual Celebrating Life’s Stories® Butterfly Release on Sunday, June 8. The meaningful ceremony provided 253 attendees with a special way to celebrate the lives of those who continue to live on in their memories.
As butterflies were released into the summer sky, families found comfort and connection in this shared moment of remembrance. The symbolic release created a peaceful space for reflection and healing, bringing the community together in a beautiful tribute to those they’ve lost.
“The Butterfly Release provides our community with a meaningful way to honor and remember their loved ones,” said a spokesperson for Ohio’s Hospice. “Watching the butterflies take flight creates a powerful symbol of transformation and hope. It’s a privilege to provide this space where families can come together, share memories, and find comfort in knowing they’re not alone in their grief.”
The event was organized by committee members Kelsie Gunnoe, Mona Sayre, Emily Duggan, Marissa Bryan, and David Hargrave, with support from sponsors Wooster Color Point, MCTV, Huntington Bank, and Fredericksburg Greenhouse and Nursery. The Romich Foundation partnered with the event by providing keepsakes for each participant, creating a lasting memento of this special day.
In addition to providing a meaningful experience for attendees, the event raised $13,056.80 to support Ohio’s Hospice in providing superior care and superior services to anyone in the community facing end of life, ensuring that no one is turned away due to inability to pay.
Ohio’s Hospice plans to continue this cherished community tradition with another Butterfly Release in 2026, with the date to be announced.
As a not-for-profit, community-based hospice organization, Ohio’s Hospice remains committed to its mission of celebrating the lives of those they have the privilege of serving by providing superior care and superior services to each patient and family.
