Northern Illinois Hospice, a compassionate provider of end-of-life care and bereavement support, is proud to announce a heartwarming event designed to honor the memories of lost loved ones. In partnership with the DeKalb Public Library, we are hosting a free Memorial Pillow Workshop on Saturday, January 27. This unique event offers individuals and families the opportunity to create a personalized memorial pillow from the shirt of a dearly missed family member or friend.

The workshop will be held at the DeKalb Public Library, Yusunas Room, 309 Oak Street. Two sessions will be offered from 10-11 am and 11-12 pm. Participants are encouraged to bring a button-down shirt or T-shirt belonging to their loved one to the workshop. Experienced sewers will be on hand to offer assistance in crafting a pillow that can be cherished as a tangible reminder of a loved one.

“Memorial pillows are a wonderful way to celebrate and remember a loved one,” said Jen Conley, MT-BC, LPC, Music Therapist/Bereavement Coordinator, Northern Illinois Hospice. “In grieving, we seek a way to remain connected to our loved one and these pillows provide that opportunity.” Sue Goudy, a volunteer sewer who helped organize the event added, “As a sewer who helped in a similar project in the past, I found it sincerely humbling helping someone to stitch together a huggable reminder of their loved one.”

Bereavement support and resources will also be available during the event, offering comfort and guidance to those navigating the complexities of grief. Northern Illinois Hospice is dedicated to supporting individuals and families through their journey of loss, and this workshop is one of many initiatives that reflect our commitment to compassionate care.

Registration is required for these workshop sessions. To register, visit the events and classes page on DeKalb Public Library’s web site at dkpl.org.