LifeLines Memorial Grove
Supporting and Befriending Prisoners on deathrow in the United States through letter writing
These trees stand in memory of the men and women we have known. They themselves discarded by society like weeds; some no more than saplings never given the chance to show what they could be, others stunted from poor soil or gnarled and twisted by harsh winds, others so poisonous that few could approach. Others flowering against the odds. Some, huge spreading trees beneath which others could take refuge and find support, laughter and even love. Others again that should never have been there at all.
Each has had a story to tell. Often, it was a story that had not been told before, and which even the men and women themselves heard properly for the first time only in the telling. For here were people who, even in their darkest of groves, found themselves thrusting up towards the light and reaching out to share with others on the outside; the letter their lifeline.
A lifeline which, no matter what the men and women had done, stretched both ways. Remorse, anger, confusion, horror, fear – all these dark forces crowding in on every side transcended by the simple knowledge that someone cared. And we, on the outside, humbled and awed by what the human spirit could survive, and by how much these ruthlessly cast aside weeds had discovered and had to offer. Not just individual penpals but entire families touched, deeply, by this most improbable of shared journeys. We have been there, when the axe has struck.
May these trees stand like sentinels, guarding all that has so enriched lives on both sides of the Atlantic. May we remember too, while marking all that has meant so much to us, those who lost their lives beforehand and all those whose lives were so tragically and irretrievably changed.
Jan Arriens, Founder of LifeLines (Est. 1988)
LifeLines UK
This grove of trees
There have been donations of £1092 towards this memorial grove.
That's a grove of 216 new trees.
With many thanks to...
J W Arriens,
Carole Butcher,
Clare B,
Helen Keeler,
K A Collett,
Naomi Cikalo,
Clare Broom-Harvey,
Fiona Kent,
Jean Peake,
Catherine Willis,
William Glasse,
John Wilkinson & Helena Morwood,
Ms J Richards,
Claire Jenkins,
Margaret A Olivier,
Sonja,
Mrs Mary Moverley,
Mrs Fiona Kent,
Barbara Moseley Harris,
Beryl Kingsbury,
Zoe,
Suzanne O'Callathan,
Jean Crook,
Jill and the King,
Miss S A Waller,
Margaret Nicholl,
Bette Simpson,
Margaret Downing,
Margaret Hodson,
Rosemary,
Andrea and Rachael,
E E White,
Mrs L. Adams,
Jean Martin,
Cheryl Nunn,
Pauline Sallis,
Marie Mulvey-Roberts,
Jacki Woolmington,
H Stabler,
Jessica Irwin,
Mrs P Sallis,
Elizabeth Anne Muller,
Anne Jones,
G A Carter,
Enid Edgar, and
Mary Nordkvelle.
Dedications:
In memory of remarkable friends: Sam, Leo, Stephen, Warren, who have given me so much when they had so little. Jan Arriens
To my friends William Bryson, Norman Cleary, Alexander Williams and James Brown. Your friendships over many years has meant so much to me. May you rest in peace. Carole
In memory of Sam who opened my eyes to so much and of Alan and Tracy. Special friends all - Clare.
For those we have lost to execution; what a paradox it is that though we abhor your circumstances, they are the very reason we have had these marvellous friendships. Helen Keeler
To my friends, John Walter Castro, Michael Roberts, John Hooker and Zane Fields. You have all brought something special to our lives. Your memories live on in our hearts and always will. Love Karen.
To Jack
For Phillip, lost to the state of Tennessee. At peace now - Clare
To Granville and Jesse
You changed my view of the world!
Fiona
In memory of my dear friends Ignacio, from whose quiet wisdom I learned so much, and Anthony whose vitality and humour were a joy to all who knew him.
Jean Peake
In memory of my friend Kevin Zimmerman, executed in Texas in 2004
Thanks for the friendships that mean so much. You will always be remembered.
For all those who have died on death rows throughout the world. With love from John Wilkinson and Helena Morwood.
For two unknown, who died without a friend
Alice, in support of LifeLines
to those who trod a long and hard path and kept hoping,
Sonja
For absent friends. Beryl
For Vincent, remembered with love, Zoe :)
for Leo Edwards, executed 21 June 1989, age 36. In honour of the great wisdom, dignity and courage you should showed to the very end. Suzanne
in memory of Gerald 'Jake' Gallego who died in the Nevada Department of Corrections, Carson City, USA on Death Row, in 2002
For Razzaaq Muhammad - thank you for 12 years of friendship and I really miss our big hugs. You have left a big hole in my life but will always have a place in my heart. Jil and the King too.
to the forgotten ones
Jerry McFadden,1999, and Al Janecka, 2003, both from Texas.
In memory of Michael Durocher, killed in Florida in 1993. Rosemary
Leaves fall from trees just as loved ones leave our lives
But memories like trees will last forever in our hearts
Andrea & Rachael
I can think of nothing better to remind me of the beauty and joy of life than a tree. A tree stands tall and proud and contributes much to its environment. Our penfriends are not pathetic victims of the American 'Justice' system, they are examples to us all of how to be glorious victors, and to stand tall and proud. I celebrate your courage and your creativity! Jean Martin
In memory of those that have lost their lives or their loved ones to the horror that is the death penalty. You will never be far from my thoughts. Cheryl Nunn.
I would like to donate this tree to Tracy Hansen who was executed by the State of Mississippi on July 17, 2002
In memory of all those who have lost their lives in the name of justice.
For James Hunter. Thank you for everything that you have taught me.
Stephanie Looney
In memory of my good friend Joseph L. Trueblood, executed in Indiana on 13 June 2003.
Elizabeth Anne Muller
For Mark a true friend - you will be sadly missed. May you now be at peace Mary
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A grove of rowan and birch
has been planted at the RSPB reserve at Corrimony.
More information.
Please click here to make a donation to
this grove via our secure server:
We can also take your donation by phone: tel. 0845 458 3505. Thank you.
