Roger’s Daisy Day Story
Held annually by St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice at Memoria Waveney Memorial Park near Beccles, Daisy Day offers the chance for friends and family to remember loved ones with special daisy markers in tribute to those no longer with us.
The free-to-attend event, sponsored by Memoria Waveney Memorial Park, sees hundreds of bespoke, handmade daisy markers displayed at the park in colourful wheelbarrows next to the water feature, to form a breathtaking scene, with each daisy featuring the name of a friend or relative who has died.
As part of the day, families and friends are encouraged to join the hospice team for an afternoon of reflection, with refreshments available to enjoy whilst meandering around the garden.
One person who attended the inaugural Daisy Day in 2024, is Roger Gowen, who is from near Gorleston.
“Daisy Day was such a lovely, uplifting event to attend which also supports a great local charity,” explained Roger, who attended Daisy Day in memory of his wife Joan who died in April 2023.
“As a family, we were, and still are, grieving for a very lovely lady but Daisy Day brought great comfort and solace to us.
“Beccles Memoria is such a peaceful setting and the event sees a stunning display of wheelbarrows filled with daisies dedicated to loved ones – a really lovely tribute.
“The team are very kind and compassionate. In fact, a few weeks after the event, the hospice contacted us and asked if we would like to keep the daisy we had sponsored. Without hesitation, we said, ‘yes, please!’
“Earlier in the year, my youngest daughter purchased a vintage VW campervan (see above), intending to use it for local trips – a space to relax, reflect, and find peace.
“She even lent it to her older sister for occasional nights away for the same purpose. Coincidentally, she named the camper ‘Daisy’ and decorated it with a daisy theme, completely unaware of the connection that would soon unfold with Daisy Day.
“When I brought home my wife Joan’s daisy from Daisy Day, I had an idea. I offered it to my daughter, suggesting that it could be placed in Daisy the camper and become part of her adventures. She embraced the idea wholeheartedly.
“Now, Joan’s daisy has pride of place in Daisy the campervan, travelling with my daughters on every journey they take. It is a beautiful coincidence, and the daisy continues to bring comfort to our family, travelling wherever life takes us. Joan’s memory lives on in every adventure with Daisy.”
St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice which, in partnership with East Coast Community Healthcare, has cared for more than 5,000 patients and their families in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, since launching in April 2019. To dedicate a Daisy, or to find out further information, visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/daisy-day/
