Community Invited to Light Candle in Honor of Someone Who's Died

While for many the holidays are a time of joy and togetherness, there are many others are left dealing with extreme loss and wishing January would just come faster.

That's the case for many of the children and teenagers that Pat Morrissey works with. Morrissey is the in Port Washington, a nonprofit organization that helps Ozaukee County children and families cope with grief.

Morrissey is now inviting community members to join her group on Sunday evening, when they meet to partake in a worldwide candlelight ceremony that is meant to remember the life of somebody who died at any age, and any number of years ago.

"There aren’t many places in Wisconsin that are doing this," Morrissey said, adding that the closest ceremony she is aware of is being held in Oak Creek. "I just felt that it would be nice to have something in Ozaukee County."

The ceremony starts at 5 p.m. Sunday in . Morrissey said people will be on the streets to help those unfamiliar with the area find parking, as the event is open to all of Ozaukee County.

The event will kick off with the lighting of the provided, battery operated (in case of bad weather) candles, followed by the reading of a child's book, "Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge," which focuses on the idea of retaining memories.

There will be songs and a speech delivered by a former minister, and then each person in attendance will be welcomed up to the microphone to say the name of the person whom they are remembering that evening.

Afterwards, the group will walk to the Mourning Cloak office — located in the Shoppes of Port Washington and the former Lueptow buildings. There will be pine cones and ribbon available to write the name of the person the participant is remembering. The pine cones will then be attached to wreathes in the windows at the Shoppes.

Morrissey plans to honor the memory of her own father during the ceremony.

"He died 11 years ago, the day after Christmas — and he and I were so close to each other," she said. "My thoughts will be on my dad.  He was very Irish, and if I made an ornament it would have something to do with Irish sense of humor."

There is no need to RSVP to the event, just show up at 5 p.m. Sunday. donated $100 to the event. However, Morrissey said, that doesn't cover the entire costs and donations would be greatly appreciated. People wishing to donate can visit the website or bring check or cash to the event Sunday.