Garden of Remembrance at Olcott: Difference between revisions
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During the July 2015 summer convention, another special event took place. International [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] president '''[[George S. Arundale]]''' had died in India on [[August 12]], and someone | During the July 2015 summer convention, another special event took place. International [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] president '''[[George S. Arundale]]''' had died in India on [[August 12]], and someone brought a small portion of his ashes to Olcott in an urn that was kept safely in archival storage. The ashes were finally buried by Dr. Arundale's great-niece Ananya Rajan in a Liberal Catholic ceremony conducted by Ruben Cabigting during summer convention. [[Tim Boyd]] and [[Barbara Hebert]] assisted. | ||
One prominent person whose ashes are not in the garden was '''[[C. Jinarajadasa]]'''. After retiring from the international presidency in 1953, he came to Olcott on a lecture tour and suffered a fatal illness during his stay. His ashes were divided, with some returned to India for placement in the [[Garden of Remembrance at Adyar]]. The remaining ashes were sprinkled in the Fox River. | One prominent person whose ashes are not in the garden was '''[[C. Jinarajadasa]]'''. After retiring from the international presidency in 1953, he came to Olcott on a lecture tour and suffered a fatal illness during his stay. His ashes were divided, with some returned to India for placement in the [[Garden of Remembrance at Adyar]]. The remaining ashes were sprinkled in the Fox River. | ||
Revision as of 16:50, 29 January 2023
The Garden of Remembrance is a serene setting for meditation and for remembering loved ones who have passed away, located on the campus of the Theosophical Society in America, Wheaton, Illinois. The concept was modeled after the garden of the same name at the international headquarters at Adyar, India.
Dedication of garden
The garden was established during the administration of John Algeo, and the dedication took place during the annual convention in July, 2001. Marie Minor worked at the TSA headquarters for more than 35 years, until retiring in 1997. After she passed away on May 8, 2001, her ashes were delivered to the Olcott campus to become the first interred in the new garden.
Ash ceremonies in garden
Some of the Theosophists whose ashes were placed in the garden include Ruben Cabigting, Clarence "Pete" Pedersen, Vera Bruce, Vernon Schwartz, Adolphe J. Michel, John Shelton Davis, Camilla Doris Huff Connell, and John and Lillian Hunter. Ceremonies have varied from simple family remembrances to Co-Masonic and Liberal Catholic Church rites.
One memorable ash ceremony took place on August 15, 2010. The life of Adele Algeo, the wife and coworker of John Algeo, was celebrated with a major Co-Masonic procession and service. During the procession to the garden, onlookers witnessed a hawk stooping low over the celebrants.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Adele and John Algeo, 1988 
Administration Building 
Editorial Office 
Blavatsky Bungalow, 1949
During the July 2015 summer convention, another special event took place. International Theosophical Society president George S. Arundale had died in India on August 12, and someone brought a small portion of his ashes to Olcott in an urn that was kept safely in archival storage. The ashes were finally buried by Dr. Arundale's great-niece Ananya Rajan in a Liberal Catholic ceremony conducted by Ruben Cabigting during summer convention. Tim Boyd and Barbara Hebert assisted.
One prominent person whose ashes are not in the garden was C. Jinarajadasa. After retiring from the international presidency in 1953, he came to Olcott on a lecture tour and suffered a fatal illness during his stay. His ashes were divided, with some returned to India for placement in the Garden of Remembrance at Adyar. The remaining ashes were sprinkled in the Fox River.