Some walks are about more than just the distance, they’re about remembering those who still walk with us in spirit. For Karen Blake and her family, this was no ordinary walk. It was a homecoming of the heart, a return to the place where they chose to remember.
The Walk of Remembrance, held on the serene Felician Sisters grounds at the Angela Hospice Livonia campus, is a 2.2-mile journey through love, grief, and healing. Families and friends gather to reflect, honor, and celebrate those they’ve lost, finding comfort in community and in moments of shared remembrance.
Last year’s walk held special meaning for Karen Blake and her family. Exactly one year earlier, they had lost her husband, Gordon “Gordy” Blake, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Gordy had received compassionate care from Angela Hospice’s home hospice team in his final two weeks, support that Karen remembers with deep gratitude.
“Having hospice come to our home helped so much,” Karen shared. “It was such a hard time. I could call anytime I felt panicked or had questions. Someone always answered or came right over to help.”
To honor Gordy’s life, Karen’s family formed a team, affectionately naming themselves “Team Flash Gordon.” What started as a small tribute soon became a day filled with meaning.
“The whole walk was wonderful,” Karen said. “Everyone was so nice and welcoming. We only planned to stay for a short visit, but we ended up staying for the entire time.”
One moment in particular still resonates: visiting the labyrinth. As Karen and her family stood there, an Elton John song—Gordy’s favorite artist—began to play. “It was a reminded that we were exactly where we were supposed to be,” she recalled. “Almost a year later, we still talk about how special that was.”
The family also took part in candle-lighting at the grotto and painted memory rocks, some of which now decorate the pond at Angela Hospice, a place Karen and her daughter often revisit.
They ended their day not in mourning, but in celebration—sharing lunch, playing yard games, and remembering Gordy with laughter and love. They’ve made it a new family tradition.
For others facing loss, Karen offers gentle encouragement: “It’s so nice to go somewhere and be among others who’ve experienced the same grief. You feel the support and the community. It reminds you that you’re not alone.”
Angela Hospice invites you to create your own moments of remembrance at this year’s Walk of Remembrance, happening on Saturday, September 6. Whether walking in solitude or side-by-side with a team, it’s a meaningful way to honor a loved one and find connection in shared experience.
Registration for this year’s Walk of Remembrance is now open!.To register, visit: angelahospice.org/walk. For more information on forming a team, visit our team page at angelahospice.org/walkteams.
