Photos
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Founder of Memories Live Kerry Glass with her family Credits: Jason Cohen
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Lewis Goldberg and his family, whose mother was the subject of Glass's first video Credits: Jason Cohen
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Jill Port (left) who introduced Glass to a friend who she interviewed and videoed Credits: Jason Cohen
Millburn Resident Kerry Glass Helps Memories Live On
Monday, January 14, 2013 • 10:14pm
MILLBURN, NJ - Death does not discriminate and sometimes claims the young or leaves children without their moms or dads. After spending several years as an art therapist, Millburn resident Kerry Glass’s life changed when a young woman in her community passed away from cancer, leaving behind her husband and two young children. That evening the concept of Memories Live was born.
Glass started Memories Live in 2010 to help people with life-limiting illnesses preserve their images, stories and wisdom by creating personalized movies to pass on to their loved ones. Memories Live helps to empower those who are terminally ill, allowing them to tell their stories and leave a legacy for future generations.
The movies are compilations of interviews, photos, and other important content. They are intended to preserve the memories of the terminally ill forever. Memories Live is a free service for the families of the patients. Memories Live created 19 movies in 2012 and is approaching its 45th film since its inception. The videos range from 45 minutes to two hours and each part is dedicated to a time in the person’s life.
On Sunday Jan.13, the organization held their second annual Memories Ride at Flywheel Sports, a spinning studio in Millburn. Glass, who exercises there, said it’s a great event and each year there are 45 participants that raise a lot of money for her company. She said meeting with clients is a life changing experience, but editing and watching the videos can be extremely emotional.
“I’m helping to create a gift for their families,” Glass said. “I’m empowering them. It’s really so cathartic for them to be able to express themselves. I know that I’m doing this to help them create a legacy.”
While she wasn’t very technology savvy, her sister helped learn how to edit on Imovie and she is now quite skilled at filming and making movies. Her work has become widely known and she said it is gratifying when families call or e-mail thanking her for what she did.
Short Hills resident Lewis Goldberg’s mother was the subject of Glass’s first video. Having the opportunity to watch his mother talk to him and his children is an amazing feeling, he said. Though she is gone, his 9-year-old son Elijah will hopefully be able to gain some understanding of who she was as he gets older, Goldberg said.
“The work that Kerry does is a gift when a family has to deal with a loved one that dies,” he said.
Jill Port of Millburn participated in the ride and recently had Glass create a movie about her friend Meredith, who passed away in December. After much prodding, Meredith obliged and allowed Glass to interview her during the summer. Port said her family loved the video Glass created and thanked her for the help.
“It means so much that I’m able to support Kerry, knowing personally how this has affected me,” she said.
Memories Live is supported by donations from individuals, organizations, grants and fundraising events Below are some key messages about Memories Live and also two links to videos. One is feedback from clients -- most of them have since passed away. The other is a sample movie of the first Memories Live client.
