Riley and Alex Mercer remembered with garden in Topsail Beach
About 50 people braved wind and snow on Topsail Beach on Saturday to dedicate a new garden to Riley and Alex Mercer – a brother and sister who both died of cancer.
Members of the Shallaway Choir were on hand for the ceremony, singing songs for those who attended the unveiling of the garden.
Riley's and Alex's parents, Louise and Bernie Mercer, said that Topsail beach was important to 15-year-old Riley, in the last months of his life.
Bernie Mercer said that Riley loved visiting the beach with his parents, even after his sight and hearing were gone.
"We used to come to Topsail beach every day," he said.
"For the smell of the salt water and just the feel. We'd just sit here and we'd reflect. He never said why ... and I never really questioned it, but every time we got in the car he'd say, 'Let's go to Topsail Beach Daddy.'"
Alex died more than a decade ago, and Riley died last December.
- Riley Mercer, cancer patient who inspired thousands, dies
The Mercers hope that the site will help others who have lost children and family members.
"Hopefully people will know the reasons why it's here," he said.
"Just to sit and reflect and look out at the ocean, and just think about their situation that they've been through and they're going through."
Lt.-Governor Frank Fagan, who was at the ceremony, also had a son who died of cancer at the age of 24.
"Riley, like our son, didn't want to be forgotten," said Fagan
"His mom and dad are making sure that he's not, and that's why we came, to be supportive."
