New Garden of Hope & Healing Dedicated

Roy and Lucille Ettere, founders of The Nicole Ettere Memorial Gardens Foundation, Inc., at the new Garden of Hope & Healing in Carmel. Photo by Chloe Gordon-Wareham.

Those mourning the loss of a loved one through suicide now have another place to honor their memories, with the Garden of Hope & Healing, located along the Putnam County Trailway in Carmel, just behind CoveCare Center on Route 6. The location was dedicated May 15 by The Nicole Ettere Memorial Gardens Foundation, Inc.

Nicole Ettere was born Jan. 14, 1980, the second of four children – all brothers.

According to her parents, Roy and Lucille Ettere, from a young age, Nicole saw the good in people and always tried to help them. “As an adult, she worked in the medical field and enjoyed interacting with and taking care of her patients,” they said. “All who knew her loved her.”

After experiencing a period of medical issues, depression, and isolation, Nicole ended her life at the age of 37, on Sept. 19, 2017.

“Our family will never have the answers to the whys and what ifs,” said Roy and Lucille.

Since her death, the Etteres have met many other families who have experienced trauma and sadness from the heartbreaking loss of loved ones. “Through the creation of the Gardens of Hope, it is our hope to keep their loved ones’ memories alive and raise suicide awareness,” they said.