Garden a reminder of Lu Brown’s rich legacy

by Arvina Bennett

Jun 20, 2007

Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary

The next time you are at the hospital take time to enjoy the beautiful perennial garden running along the front of the hospital. It was created by Harry Brown in memory of his wife Lu, who passed away in 2003 after a courageous battle with cancer. Harry dedicated this special garden to Hospital Auxiliary members, past, present and future.

Lu became a Huntsville Home Care nurse in the early ’70s and also worked as a volunteer nurse for the blood donor clinic. Joining the auxiliary in 1990, she later became co-ordinator of the clinic. Lu was very involved in many aspects of the auxiliary, co-ordinator of the chiropody clinic, assisting with bake sales, teas, card parties, wherever and whenever she was needed.

Lu was a busy person throughout her community, as a board member for Meals on Wheels, visiting the elderly, delivering meals, President of ACW of St. John’s Church, convener for the Huntsville Nature Club, a judge with the Huntsville Agricultural Society. She had a wonderful life devoted to helping others. The auxiliary would like to thank Harry for his generous donation in establishing this garden.

In 1986 the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary was asked to provide a portering service five days a week. Jack Hern was the first male in-house volunteer to start ferrying patients to appointments in X-ray, physio, ultrasound, etc. throughout the hospital.

Jack graduated to the OR department where, for the last 10 years, he has been a goodwill liaison for patients in day surgery OR and waiting family members. A friendly face and a warm smile mean so much when anyone visits the hospital. Jack is happy to fill that role as his passion is to help others to a better hospital experience. He has worked many a shift in the gift shop, often covering for others at the last minute on snowy winter evenings. Jack is at Peggy’s side whenever there is an auxiliary function that needs a man’s helping hand. Best wishes as they celebrate their 50th anniversary this week.

The auxiliary extends sincere thanks to the marathon bridge group for their donation of $2,000, and their continued generous support. Thanks as well to Marjorie Burns for her donation of a number of stuffed animals and to Lan Green for tuning the piano in the south wing.

A sincere thank you to Lyle and Barb Payne and the Silver Ambassadors, who organized and worked tirelessly at the May 12 and 13 car wash. A special thank you to Mike Peters for donating his Bay Car Wash business for two days. A donation of $3,910 was made to the auxiliary to purchase equipment for the chemo clinic.

Tag Day will be held Friday, June 29. Please greet our green-smocked taggers with a smile. All money raised supports your Huntsville Hospital patient services.

The next blood donor clinic will be held at Faith Baptist Church on Monday, June 25 from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.