Cancer Survivors, Angels With Wings Honored At Luminaria Event

CATONSVILLE, MD — Cancer may have claimed Anna Croyle's life, but it will never take away the memories her loved ones cling to. Husband Mark Croyle made sure of that, by dedicating a luminaria bag in Anna's honor during Thursday's Luminaria drive-thru event held in Catonsville.

"As the captain of my team, I felt I needed to represent my team and help to remember and honor our loved ones who have fallen victim to cancer. It was a beautiful evening and the circle in my community looked amazing with close to 100 luminaria bags. It was a very moving display," Coyle told Patch.

Coyle described Anna as "an awesome person who gave so much of herself to many causes." She passed away last summer at the age of 57, leaving behind Mark and their son Justus. He described her as an artist, incredible mom, sports enthusiast, animal lover and friend to many.

"Anna was a kind and giving person, donating some of her outstanding cooking and artistic creations to help with fundraisers for causes and charities," he wrote in her obituary.

Vivienne Stearns-Elliott with the American Cancer Society said more than 100 luminarias featuring heartfelt messages of love, support and memories were on display. This special event replaced the traditional Relay for Life of Catonsville that had been held for almost two decades.

"Participants normally walk a track or pathway at dusk, meditating and honoring those who are remembered by the personally dedicated luminarias. Because of the pandemic, the 2020 Relay For Life of Catonsville went virtual. This year, the committee developed the Catonsville Luminaria drive-thru event. The safety of the American Cancer Society’s volunteers, staff, cancer survivors are of the utmost concern, so our volunteers have been re-imagining Relay For Life activities and events during the pandemic," Stearns-Elliott explained.

All funds raised from the sales of the luminaria bags, which were handed out for a $10 donation, go to support the mission of the American Cancer Society to create a future free from cancer.

"The American Cancer Society is the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research outside the federal government, having invested $5 billion in cancer research since our research funding began in 1946. At present, we have approximately $15 million invested in cancer research at work here in Maryland." Stearns-Elliott told Patch.

For more information or to support the American Cancer Society, visit https://www.cancer.org/.