angel place: tree of marie

The “Tree of Marie” has quite a story!

	Tree of Marie as it looks today.

The original building that was on the site of our animal shelter was a meatpacking plant. It was a similar size and shape and stood on the very spot on which our facility stands today. The Tree itself stands where the “kill floor” was. Back when the idea was to renovate the original building, we wanted a sculpture at that spot that the whole world could see on the curve of Route 165. We knew it would be a focal point.

The original concept was for a spiraling sculpture design that would be called “The Stairway to Heaven.” It was a tribute to the many animal spirits that had departed the Earth at this very spot. This concept was much too real for most people and when the old building was torn down we needed a new idea. A concentration on life – not death – guided us in our thinking.

At the same period of time we were given a $100,000 bequest from Marie Stillings. Marie was 86-years-old when we met in 1992. She and her son, John Baxter, promised that upon her death we would receive the donation. In the next ten years Marie would guide and inspire us. She was the one I would call or visit during “tough times.” She would say, “Diane, right will prevail. If you are right, which you are, you will prevail.” Marie passed away at the age of 96, very much coherent until the end. She gave me so much strength and courage.

Tree under construction.

Marie’s bequest provided the funds to build our sculpture. Life was to be the theme and cats love trees so – you guessed it! – the Tree of Marie was born. It took fifteen months from start to finish. Each of the thirty-six branches was put into place by a crane from outside the building (the windows had not been installed yet). Each branch was then welded into place. A scaffolding was built about half way up the Tree so that the room could be dry walled and painted.

The Tree inspired the “outdoor look” sky painting. The room originally was designed to have an industrial look. After the room was painted the real fun began! Greenford Boy Scout Troop 116 helped to wrap two miles of ½” sisal rope around the 4” pipe branches and the center trunk. Ken Bagwell of Cabinets Unlimited produced the thirty-five leaf “pods” that sit on the tips of the branches from ¾” plywood. Marsha Rozeski of Stitch ‘n Staple covered all the pods with tree-green colored carpeting.

In October of 2002 we added lighted aluminum steps to the trunk of the Tree. These steps illuminate the Tree at night and make entering the Tree easier for the cats and for those of us who need to clean it!

In late 2005 due to issues with disinfection forced  the sisal rope to be removed from the tree branches and new material had to be found to replace it.   Fortunately plastic gutter guard came to the rescue, it had the holes for our kitty residents to hold on to but was also easy to clean and disinfect.

	The Tree as originally finished.

Thirty-Five cats reside in this room. The Tree provides different “climates” for the cats. The higher they go up the Tree, the warmer it gets for them. They can cross over to the window bleachers if they want direct sun or a better view.

Our Tree room provides a great environment for our cats and draws many visitors to our shelter. Marie’s Tree provides us with the chance to get our message to more people.