HSHS Illinois Home Care Invites the Community to a Memorial Butterfly Release Ceremony

SPRINGFIELD — HSHS Illinois Home Care invites community members to join them for a butterfly release ceremony at four hospital locations in the HSHS Illinois Home Care service area.

Shawna O’Dell, director of post-acute care, shared, “The butterfly represents the transformation of the spirit as our loved ones transition from this life. We look forward to sharing in this special time with the families in our communities.”

Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one who has passed. Each of the four ceremonies will include a butterfly release and the reading of the names of those being honored.

  • HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur: Tuesday, July 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Cancer Care parking lot.
  • HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield: Thursday, July 22 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside St. John’s Pavilion.
  • HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham: Tuesday, July 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden.
  • HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon: Thursday, July 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Statue & Rose Garden near the outpatient entrance.

Those who would like to participate in the ceremony should select a location. Attendees are asked to RSVP by July 14 by calling Cassie Delaney, HSHS Illinois Home Care facilitator, at 217-814-5268. Butterflies will be released for all of those honored, but you are invited to personally release a butterfly for your loved one by reserving a butterfly for $15 to be paid prior to the ceremony.

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About HSHS Illinois
HSHS Illinois’ mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS Illinois hospitals provide state-of-the-art health care to our patients and are dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable. HSHS Illinois includes St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Holy Family Hospital in Greenville, St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville and St. John’s Hospital Springfield. St. John’s College is also part of HSHS Illinois. For more information, visit www.hshs.org.