MARLBOROUGH, MA – On Thursday, December 11, Marlborough Hospital will celebrate the 14^th Annual Tree of Light ceremony. The festivities will take place in the Leahy Conference Room at the hospital at 157 Union Street beginning at 5pm. 

“We want to thank our many supporters and acknowledge all the lives that have been touched through the years at Marlborough Hospital,” explained Ellen Carlucci, vice president of development at Marlborough Hospital. “Add up all the lives that have been cared for and treated at Marlborough Hospital and the number is astounding.”

This year, the Honorary Tree Lighter will be a special friend of the hospital.  Nancy Burke Hanslip of Hudson, a longtime volunteer and hospital benefactor will light this year’s tree.  “We are honored to have Nancy light the tree this year.  She has also been a long time benefactor and we are deeply grateful to her for her generosity through the years,” stated Carlucci.  Nancy, who was born at Marlborough Hospital, and her family have a long history with the hospital.  Both of Nancy’s grandfathers, John Dalton and John Burke were instrumental in the founding of the hospital and her great uncle Michael Burke was a major donor to the hospital.  Nancy, who is a registered nurse, worked at the hospital and has been a volunteer and a member of the Marlborough Hospital Auxiliary for over 50 years. 

The Tree of Light will be decorated with angels, shining stars, snowflakes and twinkling lights. The lights and decorations are gifts from patients, family members, employees and friends of the hospital. An “angel” may be purchased in memory of a loved one or a “shining star” can be purchased in honor of a physician, nurse or any hospital employee who provided compassionate care to a patient or a family member.  Snowflakes and lights represent gratefulness to the hospital for care or simply as a “thank you” to the hospital for being here in the community.

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For more information about purchasing an ornament or to learn more about the Tree of Light, please contact Ellen Carlucci, vice president of development at Marlborough Hospital at 508-486-5807.