Fayetteville Memory Garden

Rachael Ristau started a grief support group at Wellwood Middle School when she was a freshman in high school to help herself and others understand and grow through grief. For Rachel, that occurred after losing her father and brother. From her efforts to help others and honor those she had lost, the idea of having a place where people could go to remember their loved ones, reflect and find comfort became the driving force behind the Memory Garden project. In October of 2011, Rachel met with the Village of Fayetteville Mayor and Board of Trustees and presented the Memory Garden concept. With the help of and support of organizations like Hueber-Breuer, volunteers, and other local contractors, helped garner donations and raised the funds to make the project a reality.