In March 2009, shortly after our son Kenneth died of Mesothelioma , Melissa Cassel the Dean of Students let us know that Walnut Hill School wished to plant a tree in memory of Kenneth. The administration asked Melissa to find out what kind of tree we would like and where we would like to have it planted. We decided on a White Star Magnolia and chose to have the tree planted in a position that we could see from our apartment and also be seen from Sheila’s apartment. On a bright sunny day in April, 2009 many of our students and many of the administration came to plant “Kenneth’s Tree.” Below are just a sample of those there. Read the story here.

The students of New Cottage said that they “Wanted to do something for the Reids” and had a fundraiser. They sold pizza and decided to buy a stone to put by the tree. Some students went with Mrs. Cassel and chose a stone and then asked us what we wanted to have it say. We did not want to put the date that Kenneth died as we wanted to remember his life. He laughed much and loved deeply so that is what we chose to give tribute to. The date which was inscribed was when the tree was planted and it would remind us of the thoughtfulness of our New Cottage students that year. The next year we saw the first blossoms and on Valentine’s Day I would always put a red heart on the tree. In 2014, five years later the blossoms were prolific and ten years later in 2019 it is seen to be growing well and healthy.

The tree and stone were wonderful but I kept looking at space that Kenneth’s tree looked onto. It was in need of some TLC! When I started writing my blog I had an idea that perhaps if I could contact the students who lived in New Cottage over the past 38 years we could raise money to clean it up. I mentioned my plan to administration but in the end I knew I could not do it through the school. In 2018 the year we retired from WHS I met Eric Herbst at our farewell who was in our dorm the year Kenneth died and I told him of my dream. In Sept 2018 Garrett Murphy, alumni relations, called to say that a former student wanted to help creating a new space behind New Cottage – it was my dream! I heard nothing nor went to look what was happening until Ron and I returned for Reunion Weekend 2019 as guests.On a rainy day in May of 2019 – Ron and I met Eric and Mr Viva and we cut the ribbon to a lovely, neat and clean space behind New Cottage. It even had a fire pit. The last picture is of the Kenneth’s tree in 2021 and now that COVID is over I look forward to a visit this Spring, 2023, to see the blossoms- hopefully with no snow. Kenneth’s magnolia tree keeps a watch over the new space and New Cottage that both hold a special place in my heart.