Tree dedication

Xavier University
July 16, 2003


After the memorial service, family and friends walked to a young Armstrong Red maple tree located just across from Bellarmine Chapel at the entrance to the physics building, Lindner Hall. Matthew's parents, grandparents, and two friends (Dorian Goff, who traveled from Rhode Island for the service, and Robert Rethy, who suggested the idea of the tree dedication) knelt and placed some flowers and a sign around the tree in memory of our child.

In the autumn of 2003, Xavier University installed a small plaque
under this tree. The University will preserve and care for it in memory of Matthew.

We chose this particular tree because it is located in front of a building in which Matthew's mother taught a history class during the Spring 2003 semester. A significant part of Matthew's brief life was spent passing by this tree.

We are very grateful to the Xavier community for the kind gesture of this tree dedication.


Our good friend, Dorian Goff,
hand-lettered the sign for the dedication.
Matthew's father, Alan, looks on
as Matthew's mother, Shelley,
places the first flowers under the tree.
Xavier horticulturist Walt Bonvell
plants the flowers.





                The tree and plaque in November, 2003




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