Garden Project To Memorialize Upper Makefield Flash Flood Victims

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA ? Plans are moving forward in Upper Makefield to create a butterfly garden to memorialize the seven lives lost when flash flooding hit the township in July.

"On July 15 our community experienced a tragedy - a tragedy when seven innocent lives were lost in a violent flash flood," said Tom Cino, chairman of the board of supervisors. "The outpouring of support from our community has made us proud and has been a tremendous comfort to the families. We will always remember that day and those families."

As a way of honoring the memory of the victims, Cino announced plans to develop a butterfly garden at Brownsburg Park, which he said will provide a place for "comfort and reflection."

Plans for the garden, he said, will be developed with input and guidance from the families.

"We are in the very early stages and the project will soon be turned over to the various boards and committees for development," said Cino.

"We know and understand this project is important to many of you," said Cino. "And as plans progress there will be opportunities for community support."

Seven died on July 15 when flash flooding from a torrential rainstorm struck the township.

The worst of the flooding occurred along Route 532 in the area of Stonebridge Crossing Road between Aqueduct Road and Wrightstown Road where numerous motorists were caught by surprise and trapped by the rising flood waters.

The flooding claimed the lives of seven, including Susan Barnhart, 53, of Titusville, New Jersey; Katheryn Seley, 32, of Charleston, S.C.; 2-year-old Mattie and 9-month-old Conrad Sheils of Charlestown, S.C.; Yuko Love, 64, of Newtown Township; and Enzo, 78, and Linda DePiero, 74, of Newtown Township.

Barnhart worked at the Washington Crossing Post Office and is remembered as "an incredibly friendly, kind, and generous person, and a lover of animals."

In September, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson

Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a bipartisan bill to rename the Washington Crossing Post Office after Barnhart, who they said "touched countless lives" throughout the Bucks County community, "treasured" the various outdoor activities that Bucks County has to offer, and had worked at the Washington Crossing and Newtown U.S. Postal Service branches.

Katie Seley, her fiance Jim, her mother, and their three children were visiting family in Bucks County when their vehicles were overwhelmed by the flash flooding. Katie Seley and two of her children ?2-year-old Mattie and 9-month-old Conrad Sheils ?died in the flood. Her fiance Jim, her 4-year-old son, Jack, and her mother survived.

Yuko Love, who was born and raised in Toyko, Japan, was a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville. She worked in pharmaceutical market research and was a member of the Newtown Athletic Club where she could often be found working out with friends.

"This is where Yuko came every day. Sometimes she came twice a day. And she loved the classes here,? Linda Mitchell, a Newtown Athletic Club member, told NBC10. ?And she loved the people. More than anything. And we loved her. I mean, everybody knew her. There?s more than 10,000 people that come here. Everybody knew her.?

Enzo, 78, and Linda DePiero, 74, of Newtown , had recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. They were returning from their favorite dining spot in Titusville, N.J., when they were caught in the flooding.

Enzo was born in Cordenons, Italy, and he had a career as a civil engineer. Linda was born in Philadelphia and she worked in various administrative support roles, including positions at The Spectrum and Bristol Meyers Squibb.

The couple had one child, Zack, who they raised in Trenton, N.J. They later moved to Newtown where they spent the rest of their lives. Their home was their sanctuary: cucumbers and tomatoes grew in the garden, and Philly sports and Action News played on the TV.