Remembering Jeremy
Jeremy Doyle’s blue eyes are perfectly captured in his floragraph. They are striking, and one of the things his mother, Kelley Deavers, remembers fondly.
Jeremy Doyle's Floragraph
“The likeness is awesome,” said Kelley. “The clarity of the floragraph and the ability they have to make it into a picture is impressive.”
Jeremy’s memorial floragraph was a labor of love, made thousands of miles away in Pasadena, Calif. Volunteers used all natural elements to create 72 floragraphs to honor organ and tissue donors, like Jeremy, that will adorn the 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade® Float, “…One More Day.”
“I cried when I saw the picture of them working on Jeremy’s floragraph,” said Kelley. “It felt good to have someone else ‘meet’ him,” she said of her son who was an organ and eye donor after his death in 1998.
Volunteers in Pasadena work on Jeremy's floragraph
Components like cream of wheat, coffee grounds and flower petals were used to create the organic rendering of Jeremy. The portrait was shipped to Columbus, Ohio so the Deavers family could put the finishing touches on the tribute to their son.
Kelley and her husband, Ray, completed the floragraph at Lifeline of Ohio’s offices Dec. 8, 2011. It will return to Pasadena to be added to the Donate Life Float in time for the Rose Parade® on Jan. 2, 2012.
“Jeremy would have loved this,” said Kelley. “He would have been the first one on that float!”
Kelley and Ray Deavers put the finishing touches on their son's floragraph
Kelley and Ray will travel with their son, Josh (Jeremy’s older brother), to participate in the Rose Parade® festivities, help in the final days of float construction and watch their son’s floragraph make its way down down Colorado Boulevard in the parade.
“I know it’s going to be awesome,” said Kelley. “I don’t feel deserving of this honor, but Jeremy deserves it. I am so honored to be able to do this.”
Kelley’s daughter, Jessica will be watching the parade from home with Jeremy’s niece and nephew.
You can see the float by tuning in to the 123rd Rose Parade® on Jan. 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. EST. The “…One More Day” float will be the 41st in line.
5 Comments »
Norma Tull
This is a great article and Kelly is a loving mother and friend.
Kelley Deavers
RACHEL: Love this story! You did great!
jodi welch
Will be watching. Lots of <3!
sandy (aunt)
remembering jeremy’s hug and his bright blue eyes, always greeted you with a big smile, love that young man
Kurt Poggemoeller
It was great to hear that his organs saved lives. I miss ALL of you guys. I still look at the Dragon Tat that he drew, and think of his kindness and love for both of you and all his family and friends. Take care of each other, life is too short…..