The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
'Jillian's Garden' blooms as memorial
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 22, 2008
The large rock is inscribed with the words "Jillian's Garden" to remind those who enter Chelsea's Early Childhood Center of a student who passed away two years ago.
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The garden was designed by Jillian's father, Peter Katke, owner of New Leaf Landscaping in Saline, and installed last spring with the help of paraprofessionals, teachers and students at the Chelsea Community Education Preschool.
"Jillian Katke was a former student who attended the preschool here for five years," said Donna Kolokithas, Early Childhood Special Education teacher.
She added that the students have accepted the responsibility of taking care of the garden.
"The kids planted a lot of the flowers, they rake the leaves, pull the weeds, and lean up the grass," Kolokithas said.
Located at the main entrance of the Early Childhood Center at the Washington Street Education Center, the garden has reached beyond the preschool to become a community project.
Many of the plants were donated by preschool families and Rushton Farms in Scio Township; the boulder was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Kim Beck and the district paid for the engraving.
The kids also made, signed and decorated their own Plaster of Paris hand molds.
Last week, as the flowers and shrubs they planted burst into bloom for the first time, many of those involved in the garden gathered to dedicate the memorial to Jillian.
Kolokithas said a few words about her former student, then parents, teachers, administrators and classmates sang "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and released purple balloons.
Purple, Jillian's favorite color, was everywhere, even in the sweater Kolokithas was wearing.
"We based the garden on an overall purple theme," said Peter Katke, naming off the purple iris, purple coral bells, purple magnolia tree, and purple "Tinkerbell" lilac bushes.
"It's designed for the kids in Jillian's memory. We used different colors and textures." Katke said.
"It took us three days to put it in last April, and they planted the garden in May."
With his wife Melissa at his side, Peter Katke spoke quietly with people after the ceremony.
"This is overwhelming; we didn't expect all this," he said.
"I'm glad we could do it."
Melissa Katke also expressed her gratitude to those who helped bring the garden to life.
"We want to thank the Early On program in Chelsea — they are an amazing resource to the community," Melissa said.
"They've been a blessing to us, and they are the reason Jillian did as well as she did."
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