Landon Lloyd joined his family at the Beyond Memories butterfly release, sponsored by the VNA Hospice, Sunday afternoon. Families participated in a memorial service including music, poems and a reading of names. The celebration ended with the release of 175 monarch butterflies.

FRANKLIN twp — Hundreds gathered Sunday afternoon at the Big Butler Fairgrounds to honor lost loved ones with a butterfly release for the Beyond Memories VNA Community Celebration of Life.

This year's celebration took care to recognize lives lost because of COVID-19, as well as pay tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

“We try to focus on the celebration of life and what people were. (This event) is so moving because it means something different to everyone,” said Suzanne Grove, assistant director of the VNA.

The hour-long memorial service was held in the fairgrounds' Arts and Craft center. Larry Morrison began the celebration with a playing of bagpipes, followed by poetry readings on bereavement by VNA staff members.

Suzie Dalessandro, spiritual counseling coordinator at the VNA, led musical tributes on piano and guitar that were greatly received by more than 200 attendees. During the singing of “I'll Fly Away,” crowds joined rousingly with Dalessandro.

To close the event, 175 monarch butterflies were released by family members into the breezy, blue sky. Some butterflies even lingered on the fairgrounds, to the delight of both young and old in attendance. Attendees also received a jeweled butterfly pin to commemorate the day.

“It's like your loved ones are hanging around,” said Debbie Kaylor, director of marketing and communication at the VNA, said of the butterflies,

Kaylor noted the release of the butterflies is a recent addition to the service.

“(It's a way to) get people involved in paying tribute,” she said.

Family members were upbeat, and eager to share stories of their loved ones. Sue Bumbaco of Mercer County has attended the Celebration of Life for the past four years in honor of her husband.

“It's a good remembrance for the care (my husband) got from the VNA,” Bumbaco said. “I like it all, but it's especially nice to watch the butterflies.”

Kaylor said it's common for people to return annually in honor of those they lost in recent years.

“Anyone who's ever gone really loves (the butterfly release),” Kaylor said. “Your family gets together, and you get to remember your loved one on a nice day. The butterfly almost is floating to your loved one so that they know you're thinking of them.”

Families large and small came to remember the lives of their loved ones. Carol Kramer of Butler County said the event means much to her as she honors husband and son this year.

“(It's a) release … a great way to say goodbye,” Kramer said.

The annual memorial service has been held by Lutheran Senior Life of Butler County for 15 years and is celebrating the 40th year of the hospice organization. During the ceremony, VNA staff gathered to release their own butterflies to commemorate the anniversary.

“We're grateful for all the support,” Kaylor said. “This community supports the hospice so much.”

Last year, the VNA had to adjust to COVID-19 restrictions and decided to sell the butterflies to families for their own releases.

“It made it more special,” Kaylor said. “(This way) people did the release wherever they wanted.”

The butterflies were provided by Wish Upon a Butterfly in New Castle. Kaylor said funds raised will benefit the hospice program.

Margie Walsh, VNA executive director, expressed gratitude toward all who made it to the celebration.

“It was lovely and inspiring for families,” she said. “Thank you, and we're so happy to have done this.”