'Remembered With Flowers' celebrates grand opening

WARWICK — Mayor Michael Newhard and Michael Johndrow, executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, joined Kathy Ahearn and Kim Frawley at Warwick Cemetary last Friday for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of their new service.

Remembered With Flowers is the collaboration of two friends, Ahearn and Frawley, who share a passion for gardening and creativity.

The idea came to Ahearn last summer when time constraints made it difficult for her to maintain her own loved one's gravesite.

Considering that others may share the same dilemma, a light bulb went off. She mentioned it to Frawley and together they set out to design a service that could provide that personal touch for those who wished to remember their loved ones with flowers.

Ahearn, a former master gardener with Cornell Cooperative, is a passionate gardener. Her own garden was featured by the Warwick Valley Gardeners Annual Countryside Garden Tour in 2004.

Frawley, who Ahearn said has a keen eye for color and design, has a talent for putting together colorful flower boxes.

After presenting the idea to the Board of Directors of the Warwick Cemetery and gaining their whole-hearted approval, they set out to help continue to make the Warwick Cemetery a place of beauty.

Remembered With Flowers offers services that are tailored to the client's needs. For example it may be a vase full of beautiful flowers placed at the gravesite for a special occasion or a full season of plantings, maintenance and cleanup.

"Or perhaps it can be just as simple as a wreath for the holidays," said Ahearn. "All plantings will be obtained from the local nurseries within our community and a picture of your unique gravesite will be e-mailed to you. And winter, spring, summer or fall, Remembered With Flowers can be there when you cannot."

For additional information, visit www.rememberedwithflowers or call 845-986-3546 for a brochure.