SAUGUS — Residents who died from COVID-19 or at any time during the ongoing pandemic will be commemorated in September.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley and the town announced that they will remember those who have died and those who have lifted Saugus up since the beginning of the pandemic with a vigil, which will be held at Town Hall on Sept. 19.
Riley said that the idea for the vigil was sparked when wake services were halted during the height of the pandemic; services continued to be limited even when the state started its phased reopening.
“A lot of people died alone,” said Riley. “Those people got in (to the hospital) and their family members and friends weren’t allowed in.”
Riley said hearing about people not being able to grieve for their friends and family in the customary way really affected her.
But this vigil won’t just be a time to remember those who are no longer with us. Riley also mentioned that it will be a time to remember the people who made an impact during the pandemic and helped their community.
“It will be a time to remember those who have passed, and also a celebration of thanksgiving for those who we relied upon so heavily during one of the most susceptible times we have faced in recent history,” said Riley.
She said that the town wanted to give thanks to the first responders, as well as many other heroes who answered the call during this time of need.
“To anyone that helped during this … Police, fire, EMT workers, the people that worked at the food bank — everybody that pulled forward, (such as) nurses and doctors,” said Riley. “We want to make it a vigil to remember the people that passed on during this whether it was from COVID or not, but to also know that the community came together and we helped each other. That’s very important.”
With cases rising again across the state, Riley said that as of now, there will be no renewed safety protocols, but as case numbers continue to increase it’s up to the individual to decide whether to start wearing a face mask again or take certain precautions.
Riley asks residents who have lost a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic and would like their names mentioned at the vigil to please send their names to [email protected].
