The 12th dedication ceremony at the Christa Lewis Memorial Arboretum, located along Keystone Street in Disston Park, took place on Oct. 10, sponsored by the Historical Society of Tacony.
Christa Lewis was a 16-year-old St. Hubert student when she was stabbed to death in 1996 at a carnival at Russo Park. The St. Hubert chorus was at the dedication, singing the alma mater, along with The Rose and My Favorite Things. Principal Gina MacKenzie was in attendance.
“Christa was and will forever be a Bambie,” MacKenzie said.
The first dedication took place in 1997, while this was the first one since 2014. In all, there are 36 stones, located under trees.
Mike Barone, vice president of the Historical Society of Tacony, was the emcee. He welcomed City Councilman Mike Driscoll, state Reps. Joe Hohenstein and Pat Gallagher and Sue Buck, deputy commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Driscoll described the neighborhood of Tacony as a “rising sun,” and credited residents with never forgetting Christa.
“Tacony has not let her memory disappear,” he said.
Buck said Tacony residents have been good stewards of park and rec centers, describing the arboretum and its mulch and flowers as a “beautiful site.”
“You don’t see this everywhere, you really don’t,” she said.
The day also included an appearance by bagpiper Fred Donnelly, of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums.
The new memorial stones include one for Greg Lewis, Christa’s father, who died in 2023. Christa’s family was on hand, including her mom Joann, brother Evan, sister Cory and grandmom Joann Schiavo.
“I imagine what that moment was like when my dad saw Christa after 27 years,” Evan told the crowd.
Evan described his dad as the captain of the family who had to live with the pain of losing a daughter. He said his dad was caring, personable and loving.
“He had a full life where he accomplished so much,” his son said.
Other stones were dedicated to Anna Keck, described as a Tacony ambassador; Anna Marie and Bill Pulaski, who owned Anna Marie’s Academy of Dance and promoted the arts at St. Hubert; Chalie McCloskey, a historian and author who was represented by step-daughter Jackie Jones; David “Hoop” Hartman, a family man who took pride in Tacony who was represented by niece Jennifer Lyons; and Helen and James Hunt and sons Jim and Dennis.
MacKenzie spoke in memory of Anna Marie and Bill Pulaski.
“Their legacy at St. Hubert’s is unmatched,” she said. “They will forever be in our hearts.” ••
The Historical Society of Tacony will meet on Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Innocents-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, lower level, 7001 Torresdale Ave. There will be updates on the historic house plaque program and the Christa Lewis Memorial Arboretum. Guest speaker Fred Moore will discuss Mapping Philadelphia, with a focus on the Northeast. On display will be maps showing Tacony from more than a century ago. Call 215-338-8790 or visit historicalsocietyoftacony.org
