On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary hosted the Nancy S. Kelly Memorial Play Yard Dedication and Manny L. Friedman Memorial Garden Remembrance Ceremony. The weather was perfect for this outdoor event which was well attended by Marty’s Place staff and volunteers, the Kelly family, and supporters from the community.
The program opened with Amazing Grace, wonderfully sung by AdaolaSings. Doreen Jakubcak, founder of Marty’s Place, welcomed everyone and spoke of her dear friend, Nancy S. Kelly. She was a devoted friend, family member, employee, and volunteer. Nancy was involved with Marty’s Place from the beginning and had a heart of gold. She bravely battled cancer and passed away in 2021.
Nancy S. Kelly
Nancy was an avid lover of dogs and the fenced-in play yard on the serene grounds of Marty’s Place is dedicated to her service to Marty’s Place. Nancy’s family, along with Doreen, cut the ribbons signifying the official opening of the play yard which is a place of reflection, friendship, and camaraderie. It is a place where smiles emerge and joy embraces all who enter. It is a symbol of the warm relationship with our canine friends. And as Doreen said, you can’t feel anything but happiness when you are spending time with a dog.
Immediately after the dedication and ribbon cutting, the Manny L. Friedman Memorial Garden Remembrance Ceremony was held. The Memorial Garden is next to the Nancy S. Kelly Play Yard which includes brick pavers engraved to honor our beloved dogs who crossed over the rainbow bridge. Attendees were invited to acknowledge a lost loved one, human or pet, by bringing a photo to pin on the new outdoor garden tribute wall. They were also given the opportunity to hold the picture up and say the name of their loved one.
Throughout the ceremony, beautiful songs were sung and poems were read that connected everyone to memories of those who mean so much to us, but are no longer with us on earth. It was hard to find a dry eye. The event was heartfelt, emotional, and touching.
Following the ceremony, refreshments were served on the gorgeous property of the sanctuary and tours were given to attendees by Marty’s Place volunteers. Some of the sanctuary pups even made an appearance. It may have been hot outside, but it was the senior dogs that warmed the hearts of all who were there.
Here are some photos from the day taken by Louise Donoso.
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- Doreen Jakubcak welcoming attendees.
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- Myrlene Hamilton reading a poem and beginning the dedication ceremony.
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- The Kelly family cutting the ribbon with Doreen.
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- The Kelly family cutting the ribbon with Doreen.
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- Michelle Jahn reading the beautiful poem that can be found below.
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- Mara Micklovic (L) and Doreen Jakubcak (R) get ready for attendees to bring up photos of loved one who have passed, for the new outdoor tribute wall.
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- The Manny L. Friedman Memorial Garden outdoor tribute wall.
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- Table with favors for attendees.
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- Forget Me Not seeds for attendees to take and plant in memory of a loved one.
We will leave you with a poem that was read during the event that sums up the beauty and emotions of the day.
In Our Hearts by Rose M. De Leon
We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday
And days before that, too.
We think of you in silence.
We often speak your name.
Now all we have are memories
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake
With which we’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping.
We have you in our heart.
In loving memory of Nancy S. Kelly (1949-2021) and all of our loved ones, human and pet, who have gone before us.
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