Tempe Holding Memorial For Coronavirus Victims, Survivors

TEMPE, AZ — The city of Tempe has named the first Monday of March COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods made the proclamation shortly before the U.S. reached a sobering milestone of 500,000 deaths due to the coronavirus, according to a news release. A ceremony hosted by organizations Marked By COVID and The Floral Heart Project will take place Monday at the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park to honor the losses and the survivors.

"Public memorials enable us to put faces to the numbers people see in the news and grieve as a community. They are a necessary and needed way to safely come together in a sense of unity and solace," Tara Krebbs of Marked by COVID said in a statement. Krebbs lost her father to the virus in August.

The memorial, taking place from noon to 4 p.m, will feature a massive heart-shaped floral artwork installation and a digital display that will project a rose petal for every person lost to the virus timed to the rate of death in Arizona. More than 15,000 Arizonans have died since the start of the pandemic. Joyce Bailey, a coronavirus survivor, will sing Amazing Grace as the floral arrangement is placed at the event.

The auditorium will also feature photos of the more than 50 Tempe residents who have died from the coronavirus. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos of their loved ones and share stories during time set aside for testimonials at 1 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required to attend.

Marked By COVID was founded by Phoenix native Kristin Urquiza after she lost her father, Mark, to the virus in June. Urquiza has been critical of Arizona's handling of the pandemic, even speaking out at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in support of President Joe Biden's campaign. The Floral Heart Project is an effort by artist Kristina Libby to provide healing to those affected by the virus.