Lights of Life event honors loved ones

NEWTON — The Sussex County Lights of Life Community Memorial & Tree Lighting took place at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Sussex County Community College on Friday, Dec. 13.

The memorial service provides a way for people to come together and share the emotions commonly experienced of loved ones who are terminally ill or have passed on. The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton, joins with families each year to remember the lives of loved ones throughout the holiday season. The Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home of Newton, has been the event sponsor of the Lights of Life Tree Lighting and Memorials for the past decade.

The Sussex County Lights of Life Community Memorial & Tree Lighting is one of three associated events this holiday season. The Warren County Lights of Life Memorial was held on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building in Belvidere. The Pike County Lights of Life event took place at the Church of the Good Shepherd and Memorial Park in Milford, Pa. Dec. 5.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill and bereavement for those who have lost loved ones. Serving Northwest NJ and Northeast Pennsylvania. Those interested can call 1-800-882-1117 to reach any of the services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, N.J. and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, Pa.

— Photos by George LeRoy Hunter