The Valley Breeze

Memorial garden will honor Ferra in perpetuity

By ETHAN SHOREY, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

NORTH SMITHFIELD - From the outside looking in, the Kaitlyn M. Ferra Memorial Garden is a lovely place, a carefully designed tribute to a young girl who was loved by so many.

But step through its arching entry and observe its details and one will discover the internal beauty that so clearly symbolizes a life that touched others, say those who knew her.

Friends, classmates, and relatives of Kaitlyn Ferra gathered last Wednesday, June 24, near the North Smithfield Elementary School playground to honor a girl they say loved spending time with people outdoors more than anything, dedicating a project made possible by friends and strangers alike.

"Kait has brought great love to our family as well as yours. She has inspired us in so many ways," said Kaitlyn's father Brandon Ferra at the special dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Thank you so much for letting us celebrate her life with all of you. We could not have picked a better community to have her be a part of."

Seven-year-old Kaitlyn Ferra died tragically in a flash flood while on family vacation to New Hampshire last summer. She was a gymnast, Girl Scout, swimmer and soccer player, but more importantly, says her family, she was a compassionate friend to those who needed one.

The playground where a crowd gathered last week was one Kaitlyn spent many afternoons playing on with her brother and friends said her father.

"She was their caretaker, she enjoyed looking after them," said Brandon Ferra.

Where thick woods once stood, engraved granite benches, at least 37 types of perennials and trees, bird houses, and decorative butterflies have now taken up residence near the NSES playground.

"She used to walk the paths in those woods and hide in the woods where the garden now stands," said Brandon Ferra. "The town has offered us this memorial, which is a perfect and natural choice. It signifies that Kait is forever a part of this community."

Kaitlyn's passing has been tough to recover from for Brandon and Donna Ferra, as well as Kaitlyn's brother Cameron, but they say the hurt has been eased somewhat by the gracious outpouring of support from their North Smithfield community.

Among those who spoke at last Wednesday's ceremony was Beth Newberry, wife of state Rep. Brian Newberry. Newberry told dozens in attendance that her husband had introduced a House resolution proclaiming Wednesday, June 24 as "Kaitlyn M. Ferra Memorial Day" in Rhode Island and to express the General Assembly's "heartfelt condolences to the entire Ferra and Soly families."

Also speaking were Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton and NSES Principal Carolyn Frayne.

To view a slideshow of Ferra and the memorial garden dedicated in her honor, visit valleybreeze.com.

Brandon and Donna Ferra said they wanted to thank the many people and businesses that made the Kaitlyn Ferra Memorial Garden possible. Among them were:

* Resident Lisa Baillargeon, who initiated the construction of the garden by taking the idea before the Town Council for approval;

* Scott Perry and Paul Pasquariello from Primrose Valley Gardens and Grapevine Landscape for housing hundreds of trees, plants, and flowers, among other contributions;

* Craig Caya for his donation of "beautiful bird houses," built and installed;

* North Smithfield Fence for the "wonderful arbor" donated;

* The Girl Scouts for volunteering to maintain and care for the garden;

* Tabitha and Mike Regan, from Organics and More, for initiating the donation of benches, retrieving them from Maine, among other contributions;

* Stanley Zuba and Stanley Tree Service, Joseph Medeiros of Medeiros Design Group, and Russell Cote of Cote Landscape Construction for all their work and time constructing the garden;

* Holliston Sand Company and General Manager Carmine Iacuone for donating trees;

* Bill Yasick of Superior Marble and Granite for a plaque of remembrance and for agreeing to assemble, install and house the garden's benches for the winter months;

* Cheryl Sachs for facilitating the construction of the garden between the Ferra family and North Smithfield Elementary School;

* Kerri Cyr, Karen and Scott Martin, Manish Bhatia, the students of NSES, Chris Walsh, Mike Zuba, Paul Vadenais, the Daltorio family, the Pierowski family, Lori Goudreau, Pam Bhatia, and others.

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