Bothell resident to be honored on 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade Float

Published 1:59 pm Thursday, December 8, 2011

Jeffrey O’Rourke, a 53-year-old husband and father of two, from Bothell was a person who believed in helping others. Tragically, his life was cut short when he passed away on Aug. 19, 2010.

“Jeff is a hero,” said Lissa Chan, O’Rourke’s wife. “He wanted to make a difference, even after he was gone. It’s something our children will always remember.”

Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills and the Dignity Memorial providers in the Seattle area are honoring organ-donor O’Rourke with a floragraph — a portrait made of floral and natural materials — that will be decorated by his family and friends and featured on the Donate Life float entry in the 123rd Rose Parade on Jan. 2, 2012.

The Donate Life Rose Parade Committee shipped O’Rourke’s floragraph to Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills in Lynnwood Dec. 10 so that his family could participate in the decorating experience and put the final touches on it. Chan and her children, Jered and Jalin, participated in the event.

“We are honored to be able to commemorate Jeffrey’s life and the choice that he and his family made to help to those in need,” said Arne Swanson, market director of the Dignity Memorial providers in the Seattle area. “Working in the funeral industry, we value the significance of memorializing loved ones and we are proud to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Jeffrey and his giving spirit.”

“One More Day” features a colorful clock tower and clocks from around the world. The clocks will tower high above 28 riders who are comprised of living donors and donor family members from across the U.S. Adorning the clocks in the hour positions will be 72 floragraphs of deceased donors. In addition, donors across the country are memorialized in a garden of dedicated roses, with each rose vial carrying a personal message of love, hope and remembrance.