In October 2024, Valerie's House will unveil a new Heart Memorial at the Fort Myers Family is Forever Home. This unique memorial, designed by Marcy Turner, serves as a powerful tribute to those we've lost and offers grieving families a way to honor their loved ones.

valerie’s house founder and ceo, angela melvin, with marcy turner

Marcy Turner, who lost her daughter Madison to a drug overdose in 2015, was inspired to create something meaningful from her pain. Joined by her younger daughter Freya, Marcy became part of the Valerie’s House family, where she found a supportive community to help her navigate the grief process. Madison, who was known for her vibrant personality and dream of working at Disney World, is at the heart of this new memorial.

The Heart Memorial is inspired by the love lock bridges found in Paris, symbolizing the connection between families and their lost loved ones. Families visiting Valerie's House will have the opportunity to pick a lock, write their person’s name on it, and place the lock on the memorial. Custom locks with a loved one’s name can also be ordered for a more personal touch. Once the lock is in place, the key is placed in the center heart, which serves as a lock box, ensuring the memory is held close forever.

This heart sculpture, prominently displayed at the Fort Myers Family is Forever Home, represents more than just remembrance – it stands for love, healing, and community. As Marcy shared, the idea was to create "something beautiful from the pain of loss." Her desire to turn grief into something that brings families together is at the core of what Valerie's House strives for: no child should ever grieve alone.

The memories Marcy shared with us give glimpses into Madison's life and are not an immediate sequence of events. These stories reflect Madison's journey, from her fun-loving and spunky personality as a child who dreamed of working at Disney World, to the heartbreaking reality of her battle with addiction. Marcy recalls finding out about Madison’s struggles, her last moments, and the immense pain that followed. Through this memorial, Marcy honors Madison’s memory, channeling her loss into something that will help other grieving families find comfort and connection.

The unveiling ceremony for the Heart Memorial will take place in October 2024, and the entire community is invited to participate in this heartfelt event. Stay connected with Valerie's House through social media for more details on how you can be a part of this moving tribute.

About Valerie's House: Valerie's House is dedicated to helping children and families cope with the loss of a loved one. Through peer support programs and grief counseling, we ensure that no child in Southwest Florida grieves alone.

Join Us for the Heart Memorial Unveiling We encourage the community to join us in October for this special unveiling ceremony. Together, we can continue to make beautiful things from life's most painful experiences.

Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates on the event.