Payson Roundup

For the 14th consecutive year, a Celebration of Life was co-hosted by RTA Hospice & Palliative Care, Messinger Payson Funeral Home and the Rim Country Hospice Foundation.

The celebration was held Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the Mountain Bible Church sanctuary, with 200 people gathered for readings, music and a delicious buffet catered by Gerardo’s Italian Bistro.

“This annual gathering is intended to remember a loved one or to honor someone who has touched our lives,” said Carol Davison, executive director of RTA Hospice & Palliative Care.

Personalized butterfly ornaments were distributed while a darkened Christmas tree was totally illuminated by family members during a remembrance ceremony.

There was no charge for the evening, but everyone attending was asked to bring a can of food, which was donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. As a result of the generosity of those in attendance, 300 pounds of food was donated to help the less fortunate of the community during the holiday season.

“This tradition was started by RTA Hospice 14 years ago as a small gathering of people, but has grown throughout the years thanks to the participation of Messinger funeral home and Rim Country Hospice Foundation,” said Kathleen Hughes, hospice care consultant.