A Celebration of Life: Ringing the Bell at Franke Tobey Jones

By Christine Hall

On January 9, the Franke Tobey Jones community will be gathering for one of its most meaningful and cherished traditions: the Celebration of Life Bell Ringing which occurs every other month. This heartfelt ceremony honors the incredible lives of residents who have passed away in the previous two months, offering a space for remembrance, gratitude, and connection.

Family members, residents, and team members are all warmly invited to attend. During the ceremony, stories are shared—memories of kindness, humor, accomplishments, and love that defined each person’s life. At the heart of the event is the bell itself. Each attendee has the opportunity to ring the bell in honor of their loved one, a simple yet powerful gesture that symbolizes remembrance and respect.

The tradition began in 2022, born from a desire to create meaningful closure for the community. Before the Celebration of Life Bell Ringing, residents and team members often felt the absence of a shared moment to collectively grieve and honor those they had come to know and love. This ceremony changed that, creating a sacred pause to acknowledge loss while celebrating life.

Adding to the ceremony’s uniqueness is a song written specifically for the occasion, The Ringing of Bells, composed by Franke Tobey Jones resident, Jane Schuneman, and past team member, Melody Federer. To open each ceremony, Senior Director of Marketing Christine Hall and the FTJ Spiritual Guidance team member, Adelia Stackler, perform the song together, setting a reflective and reverent tone.

The Ringing of Bells (song lyrics)

Peace, let there be peace,
Peace in the memories,
Peace for you and me.

Joy, let there be joy,
Each winter season
Brings forth a reason

CHORUS:
Let there be spring!
Let there be spring!
The spirit it brings,
Fields of green and clover.
And Time moving us forward.

Peace, let there be peace,
Peace in the ringing
Out of the bells.
Peace, let there be peace,
For everything changes,
And it always will.
But love remains the same.

After all stories have been shared and the bell has been run for the final time, the gathering closes with everyone joining voices to sing Amazing Grace—a moment of unity that resonates deeply with all in attendance.

Over time, the Celebration of Life Bell Ringing has become one of the most beloved events at Franke Tobey Jones. It is a beautiful expression of community, compassion, and continuity—a reminder that while residents may leave us physically, their stories, spirit, and impact continue to ring clearly in our hearts.