Joan Margaret Memorial
Donation protected
Why Go Fund Me?
In honor of my niece Joan Margaret Gilles, the Waunakee Public Library has approved the construction of a memorial bench and site on their grounds. The memorial will be in honor of all parents who have lost a child. The memorial will be a place for parents to remember their children and read them a story.
Our Story:
November 11th started with the wonderful news that my sister Grace Gilles went into labor to welcome my niece Joan Margaret Gilles into the world. The pregnancy was as normal as could be and their last OB appointment on November 10 was showing all signs of a healthy Joan and Grace. Everyone was so excited and anxiously waiting for the news that Joan had entered the world
As labor progressed, Grace's midwife arrived and checked the baby for a heartbeat which is standard. After several attempts to unsuccessfully find a heartbeat the midwife recommended Grace go to the hospital. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, my sister was told the worst news any parent can receive, Joan's heart stopped beating and she was gone. Grace spent the next few hours at the hospital with her husband Ryan in labor with many tears and questions. Was this preventable? Could something have been done differently? As a parent myself, I cannot begin to imagine what the rest of the labor felt like for both Grace and Ryan.
Outside of the hospital room my brothers and I were tasked with contacting our family to let them know what had happened. Each time we were met with an excited "Is Joan here" and what followed never got easier.
According to the CDC, there were 24,000 stillbirths in 2014 which is equal to roughly ~67 stillbirths a day. Stillbirths often do not have an explainable cause and the families never get an answer. For many families it is a sensitive subject to address and is not something that is discussed. We hope the memorial will serve as a place for all families to honor and remember those they have lost, and know that they will always be loved.
How will the funds be used:
The memorial site at the Waunakee Public Library will include a bench, memorial plaque with a message for all parents who have lost a child, and decorative landscaping. The amount of funds will help determine features for the memorial. The memorial site has been approved by the library's director but specific plans based upon the funds are subject to approval.
All donations that exceed the cost of the memorial will be entered into a fund through Madison hospitals to assist parents that have suffered a loss. It is the wishes of Grace and Ryan that parents not have to think about any financial burden during such a difficult time.
Funds will be deposited into Joan's grandmothers account, Molly Button (my mother, Grace's mother, and Joan's grandmother). Molly is a children's library assistant at the Waunakee Public Library and will coordinate the library's memorial. Grace and Ryan will assist Molly with the plans throughout the process.
Planning for the memorial will take place throughout the winter as we collect donations. Our goal is to have the completed memorial this Spring/Summer 2021.
I will provide an update/announcement once the hospital fund has been established so any future donations can be made directly to that account.
Photos Of Joan:
In honor of my niece Joan Margaret Gilles, the Waunakee Public Library has approved the construction of a memorial bench and site on their grounds. The memorial will be in honor of all parents who have lost a child. The memorial will be a place for parents to remember their children and read them a story.
Our Story:
November 11th started with the wonderful news that my sister Grace Gilles went into labor to welcome my niece Joan Margaret Gilles into the world. The pregnancy was as normal as could be and their last OB appointment on November 10 was showing all signs of a healthy Joan and Grace. Everyone was so excited and anxiously waiting for the news that Joan had entered the world
As labor progressed, Grace's midwife arrived and checked the baby for a heartbeat which is standard. After several attempts to unsuccessfully find a heartbeat the midwife recommended Grace go to the hospital. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, my sister was told the worst news any parent can receive, Joan's heart stopped beating and she was gone. Grace spent the next few hours at the hospital with her husband Ryan in labor with many tears and questions. Was this preventable? Could something have been done differently? As a parent myself, I cannot begin to imagine what the rest of the labor felt like for both Grace and Ryan.
Outside of the hospital room my brothers and I were tasked with contacting our family to let them know what had happened. Each time we were met with an excited "Is Joan here" and what followed never got easier.
According to the CDC, there were 24,000 stillbirths in 2014 which is equal to roughly ~67 stillbirths a day. Stillbirths often do not have an explainable cause and the families never get an answer. For many families it is a sensitive subject to address and is not something that is discussed. We hope the memorial will serve as a place for all families to honor and remember those they have lost, and know that they will always be loved.
How will the funds be used:
The memorial site at the Waunakee Public Library will include a bench, memorial plaque with a message for all parents who have lost a child, and decorative landscaping. The amount of funds will help determine features for the memorial. The memorial site has been approved by the library's director but specific plans based upon the funds are subject to approval.
All donations that exceed the cost of the memorial will be entered into a fund through Madison hospitals to assist parents that have suffered a loss. It is the wishes of Grace and Ryan that parents not have to think about any financial burden during such a difficult time.
Funds will be deposited into Joan's grandmothers account, Molly Button (my mother, Grace's mother, and Joan's grandmother). Molly is a children's library assistant at the Waunakee Public Library and will coordinate the library's memorial. Grace and Ryan will assist Molly with the plans throughout the process.
Planning for the memorial will take place throughout the winter as we collect donations. Our goal is to have the completed memorial this Spring/Summer 2021.
I will provide an update/announcement once the hospital fund has been established so any future donations can be made directly to that account.
Photos Of Joan:
Fundraising team (3)
Ned Button
Organizer
Waunakee, WI
Molly Button
Beneficiary
Mike Button
Team member
Leigh Button
Team member