Family, friends gather at Pinelawn Memorial Park to remember lost loved ones

About 150 people gathered at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum Sunday amid a warm fall evening to reflect on the memory of lost loved ones, including several who died during the pandemic.

At the third annual Candlelight Remembrance Vigil, many Long Islanders got an opportunity to grieve with others who recalled deceased family members and friends.

Some never had the chance to hold a funeral.

Star Larreynaga, a guest speaker at the Farmingdale vigil, remembered her mother, Olga Santamaria, who died from COVID-19 complications at the age of 66 in April 2020.

"The ceremony provides a lot of closure. My mom passed during COVID, so we weren’t ever able to have a service for her," Larreynaga told Newsday. "This is a great way for myself and my family to honor her and honor her legacy, and remember her."

Larreynaga, of North Babylon, said the ceremony was part of the grieving process. She attended with her husband and two children.

Diane Brown, 70, of Huntington, attended the ceremony alone. Her husband, William Henry Brown III, died in Feb. from a stroke. They celebrated 42 years of marriage earlier that month. He was 64.

Brown said she came because she wanted her husband to know that he would never be forgotten.

"It’s very painful for me," Brown said. "I said let me come here because everyone here will be doing the same thing I’m doing. Grieving for someone they lost."

Her husband was cremated and his remains are in Pinelawn next to his parents. Brown wears a small silver necklace with his fingerprint engraved on it.

Every guest that attended the ceremony received a candle after their loved one’s name was read. Many attendees wiped tears while others stared at the ground as they listened to the list.

Pinelawn Memorial Park is holding four ceremonies that are being held between Sunday and Monday. A total of 630 people are expected to attend.

"It's very important to us that we offer opportunities for families to honor the memories of their loved ones, which is a very important part of the grieving process," said Kristyn Hovenic, marketing manager for Pinelawn.

Sandy Roche, 64, of Wantagh attended the event to remember her parents Salvatore and Dorothy Taormina who died in March. Her mother died of cancer and a few days later, her father died of a "broken heart" Roche said. They were 83 and 84 when they passed.

"Now that we’ve come here, visited and had conversation with people that work here, it’s just very helpful and it makes you feel better," Roche said.

She was joined by her husband Frank. Roche said she wanted her parents to be remembered as generous, funny and giving.

The Rev. Lamont S. Granby, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bronxville, told attendees: "Tonight we celebrate their memory, not because they passed but because they lived."