Baptist Health Lexington dedicates Lucille B Carloftis Garden

In a September 15 ceremony, Baptist Health Lexington dedicated a garden on the lower level of its new Cancer Center to Lucille Bowling Carloftis, a Rockcastle County cancer survivor treated at Baptist Health Lexington 22 years ago.

In a September 15 ceremony, Baptist Health Lexington dedicated a garden on the lower level of its new Cancer Center to Lucille Bowling Carloftis, a Rockcastle County cancer survivor treated at Baptist Health Lexington 22 years ago.

The honoree is the mother of award-winning garden designer Jon Carloftis, who donated the design of the garden to the hospital. Mrs. Carloftis and about 80 family members and friends attended the dedication ceremony, which coincided with a public open house event for the new Cancer Center.

In designing the garden, Jon Carloftis deviated from his customary “neat and clipped” look, instead opting for a wild, woodland appearance reminiscent of his mother’s Clay County roots and her strong, independent spirit. To break up a stone wall that surrounds the garden, Carloftis chose pots in a custom shade of blue that matches the blue of the glass on the building. Plants such as red twig dogwood and several evergreen varieties will provide color even in the winter.

Designed for respite and relief, the garden can be appreciated from inside, or patients and family members may step outside to rest on surrounding benches and enjoy the scenery as well as the peaceful gurgle from three stone fountains.

An entrepreneur, an author and the mother of six children, Mrs. Carloftis faced her cancer diagnosis with the same steely determination she met other adversities. Daughter Carcille Burchette recalled how her mother insisted on driving herself from her Rockcastle County home to Lexington five days a week for her early morning radiation therapy. Each day – for several weeks – she would receive a treatment, have breakfast and then return home to work in the family business, refusing to let anyone dote on her.

The plaque in the garden mentions Mrs. Carloftis’ “willful spirit” and expresses hope that “others find comfort, healing and serenity” in her name.