The Secret Garden Blessing
Secret Garden Blessing In Honor and In Memory of Ed Tucker
September 16, 2007
On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 16th, 2007 over 90 family and friends gathered at Angels At Garden Gate Nursery in Gardiner to honor the late Ed Tucker, the Wallkill Central School Crossing Guard killed on May 22, 2007 for the blessing of his Memorial Garden designed and created by Kim Kosteczko with the help of her husband, Frank. It is called “The Secret Garden”. The ceremony included speeches by Kim Kosteczko and Lis Tucker, music was performed by Sarah Williams and Debbie Gulino. Pastor Jose Ruiz of the Shawangunk Reformed Church performed the blessing of the garden. This garden is a living tribute to honor Ed’s life for all of the lives he touched and helped throughout his life of service to his community. The public is invited to take a free tour of Ed’s garden on Saturdays and Sundays from 9-4 p.m. from now until the end of October, reopening again in the spring of 2008.
Pictures were taken by Carol Piperato of Wallkill, NY and Angels At Garden Gate Nursery owner, Kim Kosteczko.
Come visit!
Angels At Garden Gate Nursery is located at
1562 Albany Post Road, Gardiner
Secret Garden Blessing
Opening welcome speech was given by Kim Kosteczko – pictured is part of Ed’s garden
Music was performed by Sarah Williams and Debbie Gulino
Lis Tucker read a beautiful poem, A letter From Heaven To My Family (pdf file)
Pictured with Lis is Kim Kosteczko holding the microphone and Pastor Ruiz
Pastor Jose Ruiz of the Shawangunk Reformed Church performed the blessing of the garden.
Pictured with the Pastor is Lis Tucker.
Family and friends enjoyed refreshments after the blessing of the garden
Lis Tucker had a special cake made for the special occasion with the words
“God Bless This Garden” pictured here is Kim and Lis holding up the cake below is a clearer picture
Lis Tucker poses with John Valk Jr. the Town of Shawangunk Supervisor
Lis Tucker poses with Ed’s sister Wilma Gilbert
Back row – Kim Kosteczko, Kimberly Harcher Brown, Kristen Gilbert, Mary Williams and Tommy Gilbert
Michael Quinn (a long time family friend) and Lis Tucker stand in front of Ed Tucker’s tractor
Debbie Gulino, Lis Tucker and Sarah Williams
See No Evil – Speak No Evil – Hear No Evil
Kim Kosteczko presented Lis Tucker with a special gift from her gift shop for Ed’s cemetery plot.
Click on newspaper article button to display enlarged image !
The Words on the stone say :
No Farewell Words Were
Spoken. No Time To Say
Goodbye. You Were Gone
Before We Knew It, And
Only God Knows Why
Lis, Wilma, her family and I thank those who came out to be apart of this very special Garden Blessing, please send this web page onto those you know who knew Ed and invite them to stop bye some time and tour a very special garden that was built for a very special man!