LEONARDTOWN, Maryland — For almost 25 years, a dogwood tree sheltered Scott Verbic’s grave at Charles Memorial Garden.
When the beloved father and husband died suddenly of a heart attack at only 38 years old, 25 years ago, his grieving wife and sons searched for a special way to honor him.
Terri Verbic-Boggs said it was her sons that came up with an idea. “They said, His most favorite tree was a the dogwood tree!” The boys were only 9 and 11 when their father unexpectedly had a massive heart attack right in front of them and was brought into the hospital where she worked as a nurse.
Special Memorial
Terri said she wanted to make sure there was no problem with planting a tree. She checked with the owners of the cemetery before she and her boys hand-planted a sapling. In fact, she purchased the plot behind her husband’s grave to ensure there would be no problem with the tree encroaching on other graves. “I own the plots on both sides and behind Scott’s grave.”
Over the years, the family lovingly tended the tree. “I watched it grow like my boys. We go every year on his birthday and trim and plant and re-mulch. There were never any issues.”
She said the tradition of taking care of the tree has passed to a new generation. Her seven grandchildren also took part. “It’s a family ritual. The kids bring their little shovels and help. They are excited to honor Grandpa Scott in heaven.”
Gone Without Warning
Everything was fine until the cemetery changed owners. When Terri visited the grave in early October, the tree was standing tall and healthy. Then she got a call from her niece who’d gone to the cemetery to visit another relative’s grave. “I got a phone call on Tuesday from my niece. Her dad is buried directly behind my husband’s grave. She said ‘What happened to the tree on Uncle Scott’s grave?’”
Nothing but the stump of the dogwood remained. Terri said, “There was no warning. No conversation. No letters.” She immediately went to Charles Memorial Gardens to find out why the tree was cut down. She said the staff member she spoke to seemed remorseful. “When I introduced myself, I said that I had a question about my husband’s grave. He said, ‘Is he buried up the hill?’ He hung his head down and said, ‘Is this about the dogwood tree? I knew this was going to be a problem.’ He took me into a room and said that this was not how they used to operate. He told me staff had told the new owners ‘This is not how we do things in St. Mary’s County.’ They didn’t listen.”
Callous and Heartless
New cemetery rules forbid any type of landscaping or memorial items left on the ground in front of graves. Terri said she was told that notices about the changes in cemetery rules were placed in two local newspapers back in June, but no individual notices were sent to families.
“This needs to stop. He’s wrecking the memories for so many families. This is not just about my family. I’m advocating for the entire community. I find his actions callous and heartless.”
Terri said the outpouring of support she’s received is heartwarming. Several local woodworkers reached out to her and offered to make the family something special from the tree’s wood. She said cemetery staff are in the process of trying to locate the tree.
