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Memorial Plaque Unveiling

On May 20, 2000, a simple bronze and granite marker bearing Meghan Birdsall's name was unveiled at the corner of Commonwealth and Brighton avenues in Allston, Massachusetts, where her friends, for nearly two years, had created an impromptu shrine of flowers, notes, ribbons and candles in her memory.

The City of Boston and Boston University took part in the ceremony which occurred one day before Meghan would have joined her classmates at graduation exercises for the Class of 2000. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino spoke at the ceremony, and Allston-Brighton City Councilor Brian Honan, who spearheaded the effort to erect a memorial, stated, "This was a wonderful young person so full of life who had made our community her home....this is a nice memorial to remember Meghan and all the promise that she had."

Dr. Marilyn Root, Associate Dean, Boston University College of Communication stated, "Meg's presence enriched us, her death impoverished us and her spirit remains with us always, to inspire us and to cheer us again."

Sarah Andrews, a classmate in the College of Communication, spoke on behalf of Meghan's friends. She described Meg as a "cute and spunky girl" and said many "were immediately drawn to her vibrant spirit....Always on the go, Meg never wasted an opportunity to do something unique. Not a day goes by that we aren't thinking of Meg and the powerful mark she left on our lives."

Joining Meghan's parents, Nancy and Jerry Birdsall, were her brother Rick, and sister Amy. Meghan's mother observed, "This site will be a special place dedicated to remembering Meg - Meg's smile, her laughter and her friendliness. But most importantly, we'll remember her sense that life should be lived to the fullest."

Nancy Birdsall's Remarks
"My family and I want to express our sincere thanks to Brian Honan, Mayor Menino, The City of Boston, Boston University, and all those responsible for today's event to honor our daughter, Meghan, with this Memorial plaque. Her sudden and tragic death caused by a hit and run driver almost 2 years ago has left those who knew her and loved her with overwhelming sadness and sorrow. The anger and pain over this senseless loss has been hard to bear, and the grief we feel has also been felt by many here.

But today, as we stand here, we want to remember Meg as a young girl enjoying college and meeting new friends and classmates. This site will be a special place, dedicated to remembering Meg: Meg's smile, her laughter, her warmth and friendliness, and remembering the funky clothes she wore, the cool dances she did, and most importantly, remembering her sense that life should be lived to the fullest. This will be a place to express our feelings and to keep our memories of Meg alive.

Coming here today on the weekend of Boston University's graduation holds bitter sweet feelings for us. This was to be Meg's year to graduate. But even though she can't be with us, I believe her spirit is here today, with all her friends as they graduate and continue on with their lives. Listening to these young people as they shared their memories and feelings with us, we can see that Meg's life has made an indelible impression on them.

So today we remember Meg.... A blithe spirit; lovely, talented, and still blossoming."

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