ROCKLAND — Because, it would have been Emily’s Way.

Many tears were shed during a street sign unveiling in Rockland, Saturday, June 8, 2024, as Emily Mecklenburg’s family and friends gathered with representatives from Homeworthy and Midcoast Habitat for Humanity at the entrance to a subdivision construction zone off of Talbot Avenue.

Dr. Emily Mecklenburg, a hospitalist at Pen Bay Medical Center, was killed last October when a schooner’s mast broke while on a day cruise in Penobscot Bay.

Now, her memory will live on in a tangible way, signaling the access route to a low-income housing subdivision that will soon help turn around the downed luck of future occupants.

Though she wasn’t directly associated with the homeless coalition or the local Habitat for Humanity, Mecklenburg was a people-person who cared strongly for the needs of the poor, as well as the inability for new employees to join the hospital due to lack of affordable housing.

According to Meckenburg’s father, Peter, the family had been looking for a way to honor Emily. They had thought of her volunteering, and her desires for affordable housing, but didn’t know the vehicle for which to apply the legacy. Then they found something in her apartment. It was a piece of writing: “Do all the good that you can, for all the people you can, all the ways you can, as long as you can.”

“I think that really emphasized what Emily was all about,” said Peter.

Three hundred and 50 people are considered homeless in this region that Homeworthy (formerly the Knox County Homeless Coalition) deals with. This new development, Firefly Field, will help 25 people of those people, and give them community, stability and support.

“It feels so wonderful to be able to say that these homes will always be affordable,” said Molly Feeny. “They will always be supported. And they will always be driven by Emily’s Way.”

Former City Councilor, and close friend to Emily, Sarah Austin was instrumental at getting Emily’s name on the street sign. Mecklenburg has lived in Rockland twice. First on West Meadow Way. Then on Glover’s Passage. Her sign is right on the same line between the two places. Almost right in the middle.

“I think it’s sort of connecting those two ends of her time here,” said Austin.

Austin thought it would be nice to plant some flowers at the sign as a way to add some greenery and love to the construction zone. Mecklenburg’s apartment last October happened to contain some seeds. Austin did her best to grow those Marigolds.

Now, when people go by on Talbot Ave, they will see a colorful growth after tragedy.

All beginning again, with love and support, and some seeds.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com