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Last week, Sentara Obici Hospital held a special ceremony to dedicate a cooling cradle for parents grieving the loss of their newborn child, both from stillbirth and after their birth.

Attendees gathered for the emotional ceremony held on Thursday, Aug. 29 where the hospital received a new Cenotaph cooling device, featuring a wood bassinet that is equipped with a gentle cooling device. With the cooling device slowing down the decomposition process, the cradle allows parents to have more time to bond with their child before saying goodbye. The device was donated by Kennedy’s Angel Gowns, a nonprofit that sews sailor suits for boys and tiny burial gowns for girls from donated wedding dresses after their passing. Sending garments across the world at no cost, the nonprofit also raises funds to donate cooling cradle devices to area hospitals. Kennedy’s Angel Gowns founders Heather Wilson and Demitri Wilson, who also serves as Suffolk Assistant Fire Chief, attended the ceremony. Both lost their stillborn daughter Kennedy Wilson nearly 15 years ago.

“Our daughter Kennedy had a purpose,” said Assistant Fire Chief Wilson during the ceremony. “We kept asking each other, ‘Why?’ Kennedy’s Angel Gowns and these cooling cradles are our answer to why.”

Sentara Obici’s new device is dedicated to both Kennedy as well as Olivia Whitby, who died 23 days after her birth in 2021. Eileen Whitby, Olivia’s mother, has provided support to Kennedy’s Angel Gowns following the loss of her daughter as well as her own father a year before Olivia’s birth. Likewise, she lost her husband Dennis to a motorcycle accident one year after they both lost their daughter. Heather Wilson spoke about her special bond with Whitby.

“She has a unique story of loss,” Heather Wilson said. “She and I are bonded and she has become an ambassador for Kennedy’s Angel Gowns.”

Sentara Obici Bereavement Coordinator Dawn Eure expressed their support for their moms “on a moment’s notice.”

“The cooling cradles give our moms time to bond with their babies, and open that box, and begin a successful grieving process,” Eure said.

Likewise, Eure talked about the importance of staying in touch with families who lose their newborns and checking in for up to two years to ensure they are coping effectively.

“It’s a continuum of care,” she said. “We build a relationship with these families because we want to provide the best support we can.”

Editor’s note: Updated second and third passage at 10:40 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6 to reflect accuracy.