Quotes from Members of the Danvers State Memorial Committee

Links in A Forgotten Population


Introduction to Our State Hospitals Cemeteries
Do The Right Thing:  Restore State Hospital Cemeteries
A Pictorial Walk through our State Hospital's Cemeteries


The Danvers State Memorial Committee is a grassroots organization made up of over 60 ex-patients and our allies. Our goal is to have the State restore and properly memorialize the cemeteries at Danvers State Hospital. Neglected and overgrown for 35 years, we discovered these cemeteries and the 768 people buried there. Since our beginning in February of 1998, we have succeeded in getting the two cemeteries at Danvers State Hospital cleared, but conditions are still deplorable.  Other ex-patients from around the state have begun advocating for the restoration of cemeteries at the 10 other state hospitals around the Commonwealth. Ours is now a statewide campaign. Here are some quotes from ex-patients speaking about our cause.

"To me, seeing these cemeteries is the worst thing I have seen happen at Danvers State Hospital." -- Jim Squeglia

"It has been said that no families have come forward to claim their relatives buried in these cemeteries. WE are their family." -- Mark Giles

"We are speaking for those who can no longer speak for themselves. We are the voices of those who are buried here. We are the echoes they left behind" -- Bill Capone

"We need to acknowledge these people in death but also how they suffered in life." -- Sandy Fallman

"They were humiliated and abandoned in life. The very least we can do is make sure they get dignity in death that they never got in life." -- Pat Deegan

"This is about respect. We have been neglected for too long. The rebirth of the cemetery is just a small step towards respect and dignity for us all." -- Mark Giles

"We have a vision. We see the cemeteries both as a sacred ground and sanctuaries for both the living and the dead. We see places of Peace and Beauty. We see proper memorials, a quiet fountain, and the sound of birds." -- Judy Robbins

"Do the right thing.  It's not about money. Restore these cemeteries.  DO THE RIGHT THING!" -- Mark Giles