New Remembrance Wall offers unique way to honor or remember someone special

If you would like to honor or remember someone dear in your heart and help make healthcare remarkable for families during their journeys, call Novant Health Foundation Presbyterian Medical Center: 704-384-4048

Honor, love and remember. An artfully sculptured tiled painting, a new Remembrance Wall, has been unveiled at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center’s Jack Matney Memorial Labyrinth Courtyard. This unique art now provides you with a special way to pay tribute to loved ones and friends, while also supporting a worthy cause – the expansion of cancer, heart and hospice services at Novant Health facilities in Charlotte, Huntersville and Matthews.

Designed by nationally known artist Tom Schulz, the Remembrance Wall spans 22 feet by 23 feet and has more than 768 tiles of varying colors from earth to sky. This unique piece of art offers everyone a way to honor or remember someone dear while helping others. When totally complete, with every tile representing those we love and remember, there will be more than 1,500 names on the Remembrance Wall – representing a special community of loved ones and more than $1.5 million toward improving our cancer, heart and hospice services.

With a minimum gift of $1,000, you may submit a name for the Remembrance Wall. “Mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, wives, husbands, children, parents, aunts, uncles, friends – this Remembrance Wall will be more than a collection of names on a wall, but rather a special way to celebrate memories of our hearts while helping others,” said Kathy Brown, project manager.

Brown says that many contributors love the idea of being part of this one-of-a-kind art installation. “Every donor’s story is unique,” said Brown. “We have one young woman who raised money for her 30th birthday as a way to celebrate her mother’s memory. We have a bride who asked for donations in lieu of wedding gifts in remembrance of her grandfather. Another gift is in honor of a local priest, and I remembered my own father and brother.”

In addition to introducing the Remembrance Wall, Novant Health Foundation Presbyterian Medical Center revealed a prayer corner within the courtyard. A quiet place for prayer and reflection, the prayer corner also provides information about the genesis of the labyrinth, suggestions for walking the labyrinth and information about the prayer wall and its prayer ministry. The prayer corner was funded by proceeds raised from Imagining Heaven, a book project spearheaded by Linda Matney, Novant Health Foundation Presbyterian Medical Center board member and wife of the late Jack Matney, the labyrinth courtyard’s namesake. Jack Matney was a cancer and hospice patient; his hospice journey, along with the remarkable care he received, inspired Linda and her generosity.

The Foundation is accepting pledges, as well as cash gifts. If you would like to honor or remember someone dear in your heart and help make healthcare remarkable for families during their journeys, call Novant Health Foundation Presbyterian Medical Center at 704-384-4048 or visit NovantHealth.org/foundation or NovantHealth.org/hospice.