100 Roses For Maryrose Fealey: A Tribute To Honor Somerville Woman

SOMERVILLE, NJ — It's been one month since 27-year-old Maryrose Fealey was tragically killed in Somerville and her family and friends are on a mission to honor her life through her love of flowers.

"Our goal is to plant 100 rose bushes all throughout town, transforming our streets into a beautiful tribute to Maryrose and the loving community she cherished. With each rose bush we plant, we aim to spread love and create a lasting reminder of Maryrose’s enduring presence among us," according to 100 Roses For Maryrose Fealey.

100 Roses For Maryrose Fealey is working to create a Remembrance Garden around town in Maryrose’s honor.

Since Maryrose was a child, she and her mother Janet Pizzelli would plant flowers together in their backyard garden, Mary Kelly, a lifelong friend of Fealey, said to Patch.

"Her favorite flower was a rose," said Kelly. "Mary really loved flowers and would stop weekly to buy flowers."

Kelly grew up with Fealey, went on vacations together, and lived a couple of blocks from each other.

She remembers the night of Jan. 30 when Fealey was fatally stabbed 37 times outside of her North Bridge Street home in Somerville.

Kelly's mother Meghan, who is best friends with Fealey's mother Janet, got the phone call about the tragedy and rushed to be by the family's side for support.

Meghan and Mary Kelly came up with the idea to honor Fealey through flowers.

"Our families grew up together and we thought this would be nice to support the family during this time," said Kelly.

The goal was for Fealey's family to be able to drive around town and have good memories instead of remembering the tragedy.

"We want to turn something so horrifically tragic into something more of an artistic beautiful piece to remember Maryrose as other than that girl who was murdered in town," said Kelly.

To get their initiative off the ground, 100 Roses for Maryrose is looking for monetary and flower donations, volunteers for planting and bush deliveries, and land in Somerville to plant the bushes.

They are working with nurseries and some contractors to help with planting large bushes but anyone with contacts to local businesses or florists who are willing to help are asked to reach out.

Volunteers with pickup trucks are also needed to help distribute and deliver the bushes when ready to plant

"Our biggest challenge is finding land in Somerville," said Kelly. "Anyone who owns a property in Somerville, a local business, or someone with a yard in town is needed to help spread the rose bushes out."

Planting is expected for the first weekend in May.

Additionally, 100 Roses is selling tee shirts to support their cause. All funds will directly support the Fealey/Pizzelli family with funeral expenses, therapy, and other associated expenses.

"Just like the rose bushes we envision lining our streets, we’d love to see everyone in town wearing these tees. We believe they are a symbol of unity and another great way to keep Maryrose’s memory alive," according to 100 Roses.

To purchase a shirt visit customink.com/fundraising/100-roses-for-maryrose-fealey. Or to support 100 Roses for Maryrose follow instagram.com/100rosesformaryrosefealey or facebook.com.

"We really want to get everyone involved in the community in the wake of this tragedy," said Kelly.

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