LMCH unveils garden in memory of Pat Love
Submitted photo
Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home officials, guests and members of Pat Love’s family unveiled and dedicated a memorial garden on the home’s property in Ruston recently. Love passed away from cancer in January 2021.
The Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston has been given a gift that will keep on blooming. The organization received a donation in the form of a memorial garden from a family that has spent their lives living by the tenets of the Methodist faith.
The garden was donated in memory of Pat Love by her husband, Jimmy Love, former executive of T.L. James & Co. and long-time board member of the LMCH in Ruston, and their children. Pat Love passed away from metastatic breast cancer in January of 2021.
The portion of the garden that has been unveiled is the initial phase, with more additions being planned.
On hand for the dedication ceremony were Love’s son, Rev. Jim Love, of Fort Worth, Texas, and daughter, Rev. Beth Love Tu’uta, who are both United Methodist clergy.
Tu’uta is the Director of the Pastoral Care Department for the children’s home in Ruston. She said the garden was the perfect way to remember her mother.
“We wanted to figure out what to do with the donations, and a garden seemed fitting,” said Tu’uta. “My mother loved being in the yard and making it beautiful. She taught us to take what God made and make it more beautiful.”
The garden also helped achieve a goal of hers in return as it beautified a space that LMCH couldn’t figure out what to do with. The space that the garden occupies is around the chapel, and the staff had been pondering a solution.
Tu’uta said the family requested greenery that would constantly be in bloom with the seasons.
“My mother would plant things that would have the yard beautiful all year,” remembered Tu’uta. “With the garden, we asked that a variety of trees and shrubs be planted to make sure something is always blooming.”
Twin Oaks Landscaping helped in the design process and installed the garden. The company will also be handling the maintenance and upkeep of the site.
Tu’uta talked about plans to add little touches to the garden to make it a welcoming space to the occupants on campus. She also discussed possible plans for the next phase.
“We do have plans to possibly have the children help with our next phase but with the high turnover, it’s hard to say,” Tu’uta said. “There are plans to renovate the bridge over the creek and maybe add some chairs and a picnic table.”
