It was a day of Haiku, music, and food delicacies.

The Marion Nakashima Peace Garden Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held under a beautiful and peaceful Sunday afternoon sky.

Marion Nakashima, wife of woodworker George Nakashima, was a recent resident of the Friends Nursing Home at Chandler Hall until her passing.

In honor of their mother, Mira Nakashima-Yarnall and Kevin Nakashima desired to provide a peaceful, meditative garden that residents and their families and friends could enjoy.

The collaborative work of Mira and Kevin Nakashima and Cheryl and Fred Veith of Creative Essentials brought the garden to life. They gave much attention to the details and development of the garden and created a special walkway that allows a path of even surfaces with no breaks where wheelchairs and walkers are able to move with ease.


The Peace Garden is accessible from a walkway that allows a path of even surfaces to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.

A special lantern created in Japan was donated and placed outside of Marion's former room.

The plantings, aside from a Bradford pear tree, in the former courtyard were removed and replanted in other areas of Chandler Hall. The Peace Pole, which was made from the trunk of the Bradford pear tree, will be placed in the garden to promote the theme of peace in four languages: English, Japanese, Russian and French. A dedication ceremony for the Peace Pole is forthcoming.


A Japanese lantern was donated for the Peace Garden.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mira Nakashima spoke about her gratitude for the care that her mother received while at Chandler Hall. She also discussed a future walkway project in the backyard of the nursing home with support of community donations.

A newly designed Nakashima bench looked right at home in the garden and more benches will be placed as donations permit.

Tom Ryan, a teacher from Chandler Hall's Child Development Program, sang a song he wrote to honor the memory of Marion Nakashima.

June 15, 2006
Bucks County Herald