Memorial garden helps woman celebrate son's life

Date: 8/17/2010

Aug. 18, 2010

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

CHICOPEE -- Joanne Ritter has a well-appointed garden that she meticulously maintains in the memory of her son, Daniel A. Newsome.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Newsome was killed in Iraq in June 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations, according to Ritter, who spent one late afternoon on her front porch on Brightwood Street sharing her thoughts about that tragedy with Reminder Publications.

Ritter admits she has "good days and bad days," because her only son was the apple of her eye. She said it was her sister and brother-in-law, Lorrie and Ken Willette of Chicopee, who came over on Mother's Day 2008 with one goal -- to create a garden that would reflect Newsome's personality.

"It took all day to weed and set up the plants," Ritter said. "We felt pretty darn good when it was done at the end of the day."

Of course, no garden is ever truly finished, and throughout the years, friends and family members have stopped by to say hi and donate a plant or bush to "Danny's Garden."

"We have a lot of color in the garden which represents his personality," Ritter said. "Some of the plants are also a bit on the wild and chaotic side since he was so animated."

A U.S. flag flanks one section of the intricate garden, that also includes lambs ear ("Dan loved to feel it," said Ritter), False Indigo (donated by Newsome's friends and cousins), ornamental plum bushes, hydrangea, and species native to New England. Ritter also has tiny rocks with messages on them including "Bless This Garden," interspersed with little bird statues.

"Dan was a colorful character," Ritter said, noting that she wants the garden to remind her of him whenever she steps into it.

What eases the pain, ever so slightly, is the time she spends tending to the garden.

"I know his spirit is here," she said.

As one enters her tranquil space, there is a small cut-out that is maintained by Newsome's son, Kadan, now four, along with help from his mom, Karen Newsome.

At least once a week, Joanne and Eric Ritter also look forward to planning a special dinner for their daughter-in-law and grandson.

"We love our visits with them," Ritter said, adding Kadan waters his plants and pulls the weeds in his tiny section that is a tribute to his dad.

"He likes having his own garden space," Ritter added.

As the sun was starting to set, Ritter noted that what especially makes her garden special at this time of year is that everything is in full bloom.

"Danny was a colorful character so the garden is a perfect reflection of him," she said.

Of course, as seasons come and go, Ritter knows her garden will always flourish -- thanks to her loving hands sowing the soil and to those who stop by and drop off new plants to add to the diversity of Danny's Garden.