The makeshift memorial that grew in front of the
vacant lot at 65 Main St. to remember the two little girls killed in a house
explosion there July 26 has been saved from the trash.
Friends, family and members of a saddened public had left flowers, Beanie
Babies, even wicker angel dolls as tribute to Violet, 5 1/2, and Iris Carey,
4.
"It was just gone," said family friend Mary Carlson. "Like
the family doesn't have enough to be distraught over. I was so upset, I was
crying."
She found the remains of the original memorial in three big garbage bags
at the rear of a lot where the four-family house once stood.
Carlson and Cindy Germain, the girls' grandmother, found the bags at
about 2 yesterday afternoon. They had gone to the property to take some of
the memorial items and put them on the girls' grave at Vernon Grove Cemetery
in Milford.
Mrs. Germain, she said, was heartsick over the discovery.
"I thought (she) was going to fall to her knees," Carlson said.
According to Carlson, it's bad enough Heath and Tara Carey lost their
home and children without having the added trauma of what has been a source
of comfort tossed away like garbage.
Police say they do not know who trashed the memorial.
When Geri Holland, executive secretary at the selectmen's office, and
Administrative Assistant Debbie White learned about the episode, they set
out to make things right.
On the property now is a bouquet and a sign, reading: "In memory of
Iris and Violet, love Mommy and Daddy", with two pink balloons
attached.
"We just fixed it up and we left," Holland said. "Debbie
looked at me and said, 'It's going to grow, Geri."
Anyone interested in helping the Carey family may make donations to the
Violet and Iris Carey Memorial Fund, c/o Fleet Bank, 209 East Main St.,
Milford.
The news digest was compiled from the reports of staff writers Rob
Borkowski and Andrew Lightman.
