Blooming a Legacy: Friendship Celebrates Jane Morgan Harris with Daylily Garden Dedication

Residents, families, team members, and community supporters gathered at Friendship Richfield Living for a special event honoring a remarkable woman whose vision helped shape healthcare in our region.

The Daylily Garden was officially dedicated in honor of Jane Morgan Harris, a true healthcare pioneer whose compassion and determination nearly a century ago laid the foundation for what would become Richfield Living today.

In 1934, Harris recognized the need for quality healthcare for women and families who had limited resources. Her efforts led to the creation of a small care facility in a donated farmhouse on the Richfield property—a humble beginning that grew into an organization dedicated to serving generations of older adults. Today, Friendship is proud to carry that mission forward after joining with Richfield Living in 2023.

The Daylily Garden serves as a living tribute to Harris's legacy. Featuring more than 400 daylily cultivars, the garden provides residents and visitors with a beautiful place to gather, reflect, and connect with nature. Throughout the growing season, the vibrant blooms create a colorful backdrop for walks, conversations, and quiet moments of enjoyment.

The garden itself is the result of years of dedication by Shirley Jarusek, Friendship's Director of Landscape Operations. Jarusek has overseen both the design and ongoing maintenance of the garden, helping it become one of the most beloved outdoor spaces on the Richfield campus. During the dedication ceremony, Jarusek joined Friendship President and CEO Joe Hoff to unveil a new commemorative sign honoring Jane Morgan Harris and her lasting impact on healthcare in the Roanoke Valley.

The celebration was as colorful as the garden itself. Residents embraced the occasion by creating and wearing festive garden hats and floral attire, showcasing their creativity and adding a touch of whimsy to the event. Guests also enjoyed an exceptional culinary experience prepared by Friendship's talented dining team. A beautiful assortment of shrimp, chicken caprese skewers, delicate petit fours, freshly baked scones, and other refreshments delighted attendees and elevated the celebration. The menu reflected the same spirit of hospitality and excellence that Friendship strives to provide every day.

The dedication was more than a celebration of a beautiful garden—it was a recognition of the vision, compassion, and service that Jane Morgan Harris brought to this community. Her pioneering spirit continues to inspire Friendship's mission to embrace and transform the perceptions of aging while creating places where older adults can thrive.

As Friendship celebrates its 60th anniversary year, the Daylily Garden dedication served as a meaningful reminder that our future is built upon the legacy of those who came before us. Much like the hundreds of daylilies that return and bloom each season, Jane Morgan Harris's impact continues to flourish—bringing beauty, connection, and purpose to generations of residents and families.

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