Creating Custom Memorial Keepsakes
Lori Martin, Designer
Portland based designer who began this journey over 20 years ago when my nephew was diagnosed with a terminal illness. As my family made preparations to lay Jermaine to rest, I realized the memorial program the funeral home provided was not sufficient in capturing exactly who Jermaine was to us and how special he made us all feel. I remember sitting down at my first-edition Apple computer with the floppy disk and designing a program printed with a dot-matrix.
Over the years I have discovered that it isn't so much the memorial folders I create but the connections with families during a difficult time that truly blesses me. Often times we lose someone and our world stops. It has been an extreme honor to serve families whose world has stopped, by helping them memoralize their loved one's memory in a keepsake that can be passed on to generations to come.
As life has a way of finding us, my world stopped in 2014 with the loss of my only son, Lamar. It wasn't until then that I realized how comforting it truly is to have a memorial keepsake that speaks to his true character as a man and the memories he leaves behind. It is because of this humbling experience that I continue to be a small piece of comfort to other familes who have experienced great loss.
So, take a look around, make yourself at home and when the time comes, I would love to design something for you.
Nichole Watson, Writer, Designer
Portland based designer who tries her dardnest to be like her mother in every way. Mom is the brains of this duo and I'm her faithful sidekick, and have been since we first met 35 years ago in August. I'm sure she remembers that day better than I do (smile).
Mom handles a lot of the memorial programs and design of the layout. I handle the media and writing components. Included in your package is custom obituary that I write on your behalf for the Memorial Keepsake. We offer this service because we completely understand how very difficult this time can be for you and your family. The writing of the obituary is one of the most important elements of putting the keepsake together. If you need it, I'm here to help you with that.
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I am currently the Creative Arts Director at Maranatha Church a fifth the grade teacher at a local elementary school and an Adjunct Professor at Warner Pacific. Arts and media are absolutely essential to my everyday life and the lives of my students.
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My greatest pleasure is service. Perhaps I get that from my mother. Whether we have the opportunity to design something for you or not, we genuinely wish you the most comfort during your difficult time and pray that you keep us in mind for any other media needs.
Rest in love to my baby brother, Lamar, who inspired mom and I to live life with him in our creations. We love you Mar and miss you deeply.