A LARGE crowd of over 200 attended Kerry General Hospital on Thursday night for a special mass and the unveiling of a new stained glass memorial.

The stained glass was commissioned as a permanent memorial for the deceased staff members of St Catherines and Kerry General Hospital. It is located just inside the door of the canteen.

“It will serve as a positive and vibrant reminder of the deceased loved ones so they are not forgotten,” said the creator of the memorial, artist Mary J. Leen.

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The project began last September when a group of staff members decided to commission Mary to create the memorial. The design of the artwork was a collaborative effort with staff and artist working as one to create the perfect piece.

The final design consists of a colourful landscape scene with two butterflies, the Slieve Mish mountains, Blennerville  Windmill, Tralee Bay and a love heart with the following words; “Those we’ve lost don’t go away. They walk beside us everyday. We honour and remember you with gratitude our companions who have served in Kerry General Hospital”

It was funded by hospital staff plus family and friends of the deceased and unveiled on Thursday evening.

Mary said a special mention must be given to Eileen O’Callaghan and to dietician Peggy Daly for coming up with the idea and for all her hard work in bringing the project into fruition.