by Jacqueline Hensley |
Patchogue’s historic Lakeview Cemetery on Waverly Avenue and Main Street holds the remains of celebrities, veterans, suffragettes, residents and children. Recently, I decided to write a list of names of the children buried at Lakeview and was consumed with sadness as my pages began to fill up front and back.
My final count was over 250 which, for me, was more than 250 reasons why it is important to help preserve the history of Lakeview Cemetery.
This list of souls may not be accurate, as with most historic cemeteries, headstones and grave markers are damaged by weather, vegetation, vandalism and more — making burial locations difficult to find.
Records are lost over time, families long since moved away, and little by little local history is lost.
The most visited grave (pictured above) of all of the children of Lakeview by far is that of young Helen Tiernan. In 1937, Helen was just 7 years old when she and her 5 year old brother Jimmy were brought to the woods in Brookhaven by their mother who brutally cut their throats and set them on fire.
Miraculously, Jimmy survived the attack to recount the horrific details of the crime. Through the generosity of employees at the Patchogue Lace Mill, a gravestone was purchased to mark where Helen is now buried. Visitors to Helen’s grave bring flowers and toys proving that 80 years later, this story still touches the heart and Helen Tiernan has not been forgotten.
As I continued on writing my list, I came across four names of the same family: Anna (4), Dorothy (3), Irene (3 months), and Norton Gordon (13 months) all perished in a house fire in the late morning on Nov. 7, 1940, while their mother and two other siblings were outside in the yard.
While the cause of the fire was undetermined, investigators speculate that oil hanging above a kerosene stove was the cause of the rapid-spreading fire. It was reported that Mrs. Gordon had to be restrained by several men as she attempted to enter the flames as any mother in her position would have done.
Many children died during childbirth, some shortly after birth, and others from flu and other diseases that until recent times were difficult to cure.
The dedication of the Cemetery Restoration Committee of Patchogue will insure that their memories of these “forgotten angels” will live on forever in our history. The committee depends on the support of the community to help preserve, beautify and restore this once neglected land.
Join us on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 as we celebrate the lives of those laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery with the Latin celebration of Dia de los Muertos. All proceeds benefit the Cemetery Restoration Committee of Patchogue and their devotion to conserving the historic Lakeview Cemetery.
Visit the chamber website at patchogue.com for updates, and look out for tickets becoming available.
