Lights of Life to illuminate holiday season -

Louis Ruggiero, President of Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home; Julia Quinlan, Co-Founder and President of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice; and Domenick Ruggiero, Manager of Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home gather at a former Lights of Life Tree Lighting Memorial Service at Sussex County Community College to embrace area families with this thoughtful holiday tradition. Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home has been the Event Sponsor of the Lights of Life Tree Lightings and Memorial Services for over a decade and continues to lead Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice with the presentation of this community outreach to area families. “Lights of Life is a thoughtful, comforting service at which participants can honor and remember their loved ones,” stated Louis Ruggiero.

NEWTON – November 26, 2018 – Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is privileged to join with families each year to remember the lives of loved ones throughout the holiday season. The Lights of Life Memorial Tree Lighting has been a seasonal staple for friends and family in the tri-state area for over twenty-five years. Its outreach extends into three locations; Sussex and Warren Counties, NJ and Pike County, PA, where families are invited to participate in this commemorative tradition. The Warren County Lights of Life Memorial will be held Tuesday, December 4 at 7 p.m. at the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building, 165 Route 519 South, Belvidere, NJ; the Sussex County Lights of Life Memorial will be held Wednesday, December 5 at 7 p.m. in the atrium at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Sussex County Community College; and the Pike County Lights of Life event will be held Thursday, December 6 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Good Shepherd on Catharine and 5^th Street in Milford. Each of the Lights of Life Memorial Services are accented with guest readers that include area leaders, hospice employees, volunteers and family members. “We are pleased to welcome families to gather with us once again this year at one of our event locations. These are very special evenings for so many and each are highlighted with music and thoughtful reflections,” stated Julia Quinlan, Co-Founder and President of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.

At the conclusion of each of the Lights of Life presentation, a memorial tree will be lit to commemorate the shining place our loved ones have held in our hearts and minds. Warren County’s Lights of Life Memorial Tree will be featured on the grounds of the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building. Pike County’s Lights of Life Memorial Tree will glow at the Memorial Park, located on the corner of Catharine and 5^thStreet in Milford; and Sussex County’s Lights of Life campaign will illuminate several trees in the Newton Town Square. The thousands of white lights and decorative stars represent donations sent to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in memory of a family member or friend.

“The memorial service and tree lightings provide a meaningful way for people to come together and share the emotions commonly experienced throughout the holidays. Lights of Life is a thoughtful, comforting service at which participants can honor and remember their loved ones,” stated Louis Ruggiero, President of Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home. Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home has been the Event Sponsor of the Lights of Life Tree Lighting and Memorials for over a decade and continues to assist Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice with the presentation of this community outreach to area families.

For a $100.00 gift, participants are invited to remember a loved one this holiday season and will also receive a commemorative Lenox ornament chosen to highlight the 2018 event. With a $20.00 donation, donors will have their loved one’s name remembered. With each donation, participants are able to send an acknowledgement with a memorial keepsake to a designated recipient. To remember a loved one this holiday season, please visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org/lights or call 973-383-0115 for assistance.