Mount Pleasant Cemetery
South of Section 42
The story of the Children’s Garden begins with Mary Smith, a mother whose grief over her deceased child endured for decades. Her baby lived only five days, and for years she searched for her child’s resting place, meeting obstacle after obstacle from an unfeeling government bureaucracy. Thirty years passed before Mary finally uncovered the truth: her baby had been laid to rest in an unmarked grave, hidden away in a remote section of Mount Pleasant Cemetery reserved for stillborn infants and children without known parents.
That discovery ignited a mission. Determined to bring dignity and remembrance to these forgotten lives, Mary led efforts to create the Children’s Garden. Dedicated in 1992, this memorial space ensures that no child buried there will ever be lost to memory again. It stands as a testament to love, perseverance, and the universal need to recognize and cherish every life.
The Children’s Garden is a place that offers consolation and quiet reflection. Native plants flourish, symbolizing life and renewal. Three granite boulders from northern Ontario anchor the space with strength and permanence. At its heart rests a tender sculpture by Dundas artist Juliet Jansco, evoking hope and compassion. This tranquil corner of the cemetery offers solace to families and visitors alike, reminding us that every life, no matter how small and brief, deserves dignity, remembrance and love.
Source:
• Mount Pleasant Group – Children’s Garden
Photos courtesy of Mount Pleasant Group
