Bassett Medical Center Holds Candle Lighting Service of Remembrance

Bassett Medical Center held a candle lighting service of remembrance on December 2nd to honor COVID-19 victims and health care workers. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered in-person and via Zoom to attend the service, which took place at the United Methodist Church in Fly Creek. 

The program, led by Chaplain Gerald Paciello, M.Div, manager of Spiritual Care and Volunteer Services at Bassett Medical Center, opened with a message of welcome from Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “It’s impossible to find someone who hasn’t been touched in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in part.

“For those of us who have lost people to this terrible virus, it’s been even more tremendously challenging to navigate the many ways the pandemic has changed our world.”

Following Ibrahim’s opening remarks, a scripture reading was read by Julie Hall, MSN, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Services for Bassett Healthcare Network’s northern region. Dr. Emily DeSantis, attending physician, and Tobin Wilcox, nurse practitioner, shared their musical talents on vocals and piano, respectively. Later, Suzanne Beddoe, associate chaplain at Bassett Medical Center, delivered a special prayer of healing and remembrance.  

109 candles were lit in tribute to every person who has passed away at Bassett Medical Center due to COVID-19 through October 2021. Paciello read aloud the names of every patient in remembrance. 

“The ceremony was very moving,” reflected Paciello.

“It was poignant to hear the names of our family, friends, and neighbors spoken aloud. To see the 109 candles glowing at the altar was overwhelming, and a powerful visual representation of the great loss our communities have endured through this pandemic. Their light lives on in our hearts.”

Jean-Marie Cocivi, inpatient nurse manager in Bassett Medical Center’s Special Care Unit, offered reflections to the audience on her experiences treating patients with COVID-19, acknowledging how she and her colleagues have struggled as they find ways to come to terms with the incredible loss and tragedy they have seen over the past year and a half. She offered words of hope and warmth as families and health care workers came together to heal. 

“The service was a beautiful tribute to those we’ve lost to COVID-19,” she said. “It was also a heartfelt recognition of the health care workers who have worked tirelessly — and continue to work — through this pandemic.”