BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
For the second year in a row, the family of Malinda Burrows got together to make and donate blankets in honor of Malinda Burrow.
“We wanted to show our appreciation to all the wonderful people who helped us in our time of need during her illness,” said Malinda’s daughter Diana Petruzates. “What better way than to have someone wrap up in a blanket made with love.”
“We were so grateful for many, especially Compassus, for their care and compassion, that we donated blankets to their organization last year,” Petruzates said. “This year we are donating the blankets locally.”
The family contacted Mighty Maddie’s Mission to see if their organization had a need for blankets, and they responded that they would happily use them, as they like to include a blanket in the new diagnosis bags they give to families, she said. “We thought of this as one organization to donate to, as we know Merrill families going through cancer issues.”
“My mom was well known in town,” Petruzates said. “She worked for Rexall/Johnson’s Gifts for 61 years. There was a post on Facebook sometime ago under the Merrill Facebook group ‘You know you are from Merrill when’… you go into Johnson’s Pharmacy and see Malinda & Robbie.”
“My mom was kind and made people feel special. She was very active in different organizations at church [and] loved supporting her grandchildren in all their activities,” she said. “The last few years she battled different health issues. Multiple Myloma was her last battle. She passed on Dec. 22, 2022.”
Petruzates said her mom’s local connections made them especially want to donate the blankets locally. “We want to give someone strength and courage in their time of need. We thought that someone struggling with health issues would appreciate that they were being loved and supported by their home town.”
So “In remembering Malinda and her many kindnesses toward others, we hope these blankets bring strength and courage!” the family said.
