Josephine Boswell honored with memorial garden

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -A local family is honoring the life of Josephine Boswell with a new memorial garden at Chunks, the daycare she attended, during the third annual Josephine Boswell Foundation community event.

Josephine’s parents, Kassandra and Lee Boswell, said the foundation was created after Josephine died in July 2023 from SUDC, Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, a rare classification used when there is no apparent cause of death.

“This is our third annual event, first time dedicating a garden to her,” Kassandra Boswell said. “It’s also meaningful that her brother Gabriel and his friends are now going to be part of it… it’s kind of a mini legacy in our family.”

The new garden is designed as a hands-on space where children can learn about planting and growing flowers, something her family said Josephine loved.

“Josephine really loved flowers… she really loved pink and purple,” Lee Boswell said. “The kids will be able to decorate little, tiny cups, plant some seeds… and it’s going to be a really cool time to honor Josephine and let kids get dirty.”

The Boswells said the annual event is held each April, Josephine’s birthday month, and is open to the entire community.

The Josephine Boswell Foundation also provides support for families, including scholarships to help cover childcare tuition, and continues to raise awareness about SUDC.

Kassandra Boswell said she hopes the garden becomes a joyful place for kids, just as Josephine would have wanted.

“Everybody should come out and have fun and enjoy the lovely day,” she said. “Come get dirty because Josie would have loved that.”