25 Jul 2022 Personal Stories

A beautiful afternoon of Sunflower Memories

Celebrating loved ones this July we were beaming with delight as we welcomed back our Sunflower Memories event in The Kirkwood Garden.

The annual Sunflower Memories event is a special day for many. People from all over Kirklees, pay a visit to The Kirkwood Garden to remember their loved ones and view a beautiful sea of sunflower plaques dedicated in their names. 

People Like Robert Gallagher, who attended Sunflower Memories this year to remember his beloved wife, Sandra who sadly died from Cancer in 2018, following treatment at Pinderfields, Wakefield for Stomach Cancer, only to discover that it had spread to the bone. Planting Sunflowers to remember his wife, Robert shares – “I planted a few once and they grew berserk, I ended up with about 7 or 8 Sunflowers in the back garden, one growing to about 7 foot tall, I could only admire that one from the bedroom window, my sunflower plaque will be much more manageable and I can see it every day and think of her.”



Robert and active lottery player, received aftercare from our family bereavement team to help him cope with Sandra’s death, meeting people in group sessions that had the shared experience of grief, and found this to be helpful. Struggling with the missing card on the mantelpiece every birthday and Christmas, Robert invested in a new companion in the form of a sweet little rescue terrier named Poppy. “She’s been an absolute godsend, When I take her for walks, people always stop to talk to us and its nice to have that. I get to talk to people that wouldn’t normally.

That’s why it’s nice to come to these events, like Sunflower memories. I get to talk to people and remember Sandra, (pointing to his Sunflower plaque safely nestled in the top pocket of his shirt) I miss her a lot, it’s a nice event to remember her.”

Amongst the hue of yellow taking over the garden that afternoon, were an abundance of dedications to loved ones, all plaques sensitively positioned for viewing and ready to be plucked by their family members to take home as a keepsake.

Here are just a few people who dedicated a sunflower in memory of their loved ones this July... 

Judith Coyne – remembering her brother, Andrew and Uncle, Graham.
“Andrew not a day goes passed that you are not thought of or loved. We hold you close in all our hearts always and forever �� x”
“Uncle Graham another year has passed without you hear with us all. You are loved and never forgotten we love you �� xx”

Joanne Brier – remembering her husband, Peter and dad, John.
“Much loved & very much missed every day xx”
“Always remembered. Loved & missed every day”

Sarah Louise Ezeugo – remembering her mum, Wendy.
“Our Beautiful Mum, you touched the hearts of everyone you met, one special lady....so proud to call you our mother �� Love you always and forever x”

Rachael Hall - remembering her dad, David.
“Dad I miss and think of you every day, Always and forever in my heart ❤️ until we meet again x”

We would like to thank everyone who made a dedication and attended yesterday’s memorial event. Without the kindness and support of the community, we simply wouldn’t be able to offer the services we do to so many and help your loved ones in times of difficulty and sadness. We hope our event added a little bit of sunshine to your day, despite the drizzle from the ever-unpredictable weather.