{"id":182141,"date":"2026-05-02T12:46:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T12:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/182141\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T12:46:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T12:46:09","slug":"roxborough-home-for-women-holds-earth-day-memorial-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/182141\/","title":{"rendered":"Roxborough Home for Women holds Earth Day memorial service"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Roxborough Home for Women welcomed residents, families, staff, supporters and community members on Earth Day, April 22, to honor the passing of those who once called this historic edifice their home.<\/p>\n

Earth Day seemed like a fitting occasion to hold such an event as it signifies metaphoric themes like remembrance, renewal, and a connection to both people and nature.<\/p>\n

RHW Executive Director Tom Wilcox gracefully guided the gathering through a brief ceremony at the memory garden, reflecting on the lives of residents of both past and present.<\/p>\n

The Memory Garden, where the service took place, is a tastefully adorned plot with stone carvings that commemorate the presence and spirit of departed residents whose lives were a vital and meaningful part of our community.<\/p>\n

Wilcox skillfully wove his own thoughts together with Biblical passages and poems to reinforce the notion that those being remembered will always be a part of the Home\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

\"Steve<\/p>\n

Steve Gallagher ponders the lost lives in the memory garden prior to the unveiling of grandmom Joyce Gallagher\u2019s addition. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)\n<\/p>\n

\"RHW<\/p>\n

RHW Administrator Athenae Evans helps resident Carol Katona as they admire the tastefully adorned memory garden. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Roxborough Home for Women dates back to 1887 when it was established through the will of Samuel Gorgas. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A commemorative garden stone honors the recent passing of beloved resident Joyce Gallagher. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 4<\/p>\n

Steve Gallagher ponders the lost lives in the memory garden prior to the unveiling of grandmom Joyce Gallagher\u2019s addition. (Photo courtesy of Roxborough Home for Women)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

He mused that \u201ceach woman who has lived here has brought her own story, her own strength, and her own light into this Home. Together, they have shaped a legacy of dignity, care, and community that continues today.\u201d<\/p>\n

More specifically, Wilcox was referring to the recent passing of 93 year old resident Joyce Gallagher, who held a special place in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to cross her life\u2019s path while she was on earth.<\/p>\n

Wilcox eloquently summarized Gallagher\u2019s impact on the RWH community with a contemplative remembrance, stating that \u201cJoyce, like so many others, leaves behind a legacy of presence and grace that we will not forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gallagher\u2019s memorial stone unveiling in the Memory Garden was the climax of the presentation.<\/p>\n

The stones are lasting symbols of those whose lives will forever be remembered at a place that has always been associated with a nurturing and homelike environment.<\/p>\n

Wilcox closed the proceedings with a grateful acknowledgement of the friends, family members, and supporters who have helped make the RHW what it is over the years.<\/p>\n

And let us not forget to mention the care, dignity, and kindness shown by the Home\u2019s staff on a daily basis that set it apart from all others.<\/p>\n

Take a bow, Administrator Athenae Evans, and each staff member who go the extra mile every day to bring a sense of belonging and a feeling of being cherished to each resident under their care.<\/p>\n

Following the Earth Day event, Wilcox and the RHW staff were thrilled to be notified by the Roxborough Development Corporation that they were chosen by the community to receive the inaugural 19128 Beacon Award.<\/p>\n

The official presentation will be held on May 9 during the annual Spring Fest. Apparently people have taken notice of the outstanding work that they do.<\/p>\n

The Roxborough Home For Women was established in 1887 to provide quality care and services for women with limited financial means.<\/p>\n

The Home is available for tours 7 days a week by calling 215-482-6615.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Roxborough Home for Women welcomed residents, families, staff, supporters and community members on Earth Day, April 22,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":182142,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[182,139,28,69,1212,71,70,22177,10918],"class_list":["post-182141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-pennsylvania","tag-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia-county","tag-philadelphia-headlines","tag-philadelphia-news","tag-roxborough-review","tag-top-stories-tth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}