In August of last year, Heather Shaw quietly passed away in the Medically Complex Unit at St. Peter’s Hospital – the largest adult inpatient medically complex care program in Canada.

Heather left behind her doting husband, John, and her beautiful family. John wanted to honour his wife’s experience and her memory with a donation to St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, to support green projects.

This past May, with John’s support, a pollinator garden was planted in the St. Peter’s Hospital courtyard to honour Heather. Dr. Myles Sergeant, of St. Peter’s Hospital, led the planting with members of the Shaw family.

“I wanted to plant the garden in memory of Heather to share and enhance the experience we had. The courtyard helped relieve the stress during our time there. It is a magical place where families can enjoy those special moments with their loved ones,” says John. “It’s for the staff, too. I wanted an opportunity to give something back as I am forever grateful for everything they have done for our family.”

The courtyard is a unique part of the patient experience at St. Peter’s Hospital. In addition to providing a peaceful setting, it also features native plants and wildflowers.

John continues to visit the garden to reminisce about their beautiful years of marriage together.

“Heather was always gardening. I know I can visit the garden whenever I want to feel closer to her,” says John.