Funding for healing garden
donated in man’s memory
LAKEWOOD — Steven Kitay was a man who died too young. He had no children himself, but was dedicated to his community and was especially active with handicapped children.
Steven’s brother, Peter, came to Kimball Medical Center intending to make a Capital Campaign pledge. It was while on a tour of the hospital that Peter Kitay first heard about the healing garden, according to a press release from Kimball Medical Center.
Planned as part of the Emergency Department project, the garden will be adjacent to the main entrance to the hospital and will be constructed on top of the Outpatient Pavilion roof. The garden will have a walking path, benches, plantings and a waterfall. It will be a place of peace and serenity — a place for visitors and staff to meditate, heal and be at rest among the beauty and tranquillity of the setting.
The Kitay family’s decision to fund the creation of the healing garden in Steven’s memory punctuates the life of a young man who created his own legacy of kindness and caring.
"Those whose lives were touched by Steven knew well his ability to give without expecting anything in return," said Joanne Bergin, director of development at the Kimball Medical Center Foundation. "His greatest joy was bringing smiles to children’s faces, whether it was through his dedication to the Boy Scouts or his work with handicapped children. His work to preserve the rural nature of his town and his love for the outdoors make the gift of the memorial healing garden a particularly poignant one."
"This memorial garden will be a very special place to remember life, especially one that gave so much back to the community he loved," said Peter Kitay. "I’ll know that Steven would have loved this garden and the purpose it serves."