Children’s Memorial Garden

Listen to Real Presence Radio’s Live interview with Dionne Eastmo sharing about the death of her son Jacob and how the Children’s Memorial Garden was started.  Interview starts at 45:36.

If you’d like to remember a child who has returned to God, please complete the form on the right.

We would like to share with you the circumstances surrounding Jacob’s passing, because they are remarkable!

Eric, Dionne and Michael were visiting Matthew who is studying theology in Rome this semester (Spring 2017). Jacob was having a fantastic week at home with his loving teachers Andrea and Sarah. We saw pictures or Face Timed every day, and he was healthy, bright eyed and so happy. His teachers are amazing– it was like he was at Camp all week!  He had an Easter egg hunt, played a nerf gun war, drove a 4-wheeling jeep, watched the Ohio State spring football game and played dress-up wearing a beret and curly mustache!

Days before we left for Rome, we unexpectedly received tickets to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. It was an amazing and glorious Easter morning!  In the middle of Mass, it began to rain hard for about 10 minutes. We passed our umbrella to a caregiver nearby to protect her loved-one in a wheelchair.  Looking back now, that is a moment we will not forget.  For after the glory of the morning, we returned to a ringing phone and learned that our sweet Jacob had peacefully died in his sleep while we were at Easter Mass.

Where we were during his passing is not lost on our family (and the only time we all 4 have ever left him). On Easter. Together. In the holiest of moments, in the holiest of places, with the holiest of people.  And Jacob with people whom he loved dearly.

As unexpected as this is in our earthly understanding, it is exactly right in God’s plan. Jacob arrived on the Feast of Mary’s Assumption to Heaven and died on Christ’s Resurrection. Our hearts are broken, our arms feel empty, and we are crying plenty of tears, but we are filled with a beautiful, peaceful grace that can only be from God.

Rest assured that our family’s love is strong, and our faith is strong. And we are overwhelmed with gratitude that God chose us to be Jacob’s family.  He completely transformed our lives.

We feel wrapped in your prayers and very loved. Please keep sustaining all who grieve Jacob’s death with continued prayer for the difficult days ahead.

He is Risen, Alleluia!

Jacob’s Obituary