Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary was established years ago, and serving families has always been our focus. We take pride in being able to guide people through some of their most difficult days. We take pride in maintaining a setting that allows people to find solace. Celebrating life is our mission. That’s never changed. And with pride, it never will.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Michael O'Connor
Location Manager

Suzy O'Connor
Location Manager

Teresa Vail
Office Administrator
Teresa was born and raised in Central Point, OR. She graduated from Crater High School in 1978, attended Rogue Community College in Medford, OR and Arapahoe Community College. Teresa is Family Service Manager at Hillcrest and Memory Gardens Memorial Parks and Mortuaries where she enjoys helping families. She has been in the industry and worked for the company for twenty years. Previously she worked for State Farm insurance for six years and American Linen for eighteen years. Teresa has been in this community for sixty years and is involved with Access and Senior Citizen Volunteer Group. She loves to travel, enjoys camping, plays/shows, music, horseback riding and dogs. She has one son, one grandson and a dachshund named Johnny.

Suzanne Brawn
Suzanne has worked in the funeral industry for 15 years as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. She graduated from Mount Hood Community College in Funeral Science program and also has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Portland State. Prior to working in the funeral industry, she worked extensively in the field of domestic violence. She was on the Board of Directors for the Portland Women’s Crisis line and worked for a DV shelter as a case manager and was the coordinator in charge of running support groups in and outside of the shelters. She helped to pioneer the Washington County Domestic Violence Restraining Order Advocacy program which has blossomed, grown and has helped hundreds of abused women and men in Washington County.
Suzanne has volunteered for the Oregon Food Bank for years, as well as Meals on Wheels, and the Milwaukie Community Center.
In her personal life, she has three sons and 7 grandchildren. She lives at home with her Australian Shepherd Zoey and enjoys spending time with her family, kayaking, hiking, and spending time at the coast or in the mountains which always amazes her with its beauty.

Jennie Dunivan
Advance Planning Advisor
Jennie was born in Santa Cruz, CA and attended multiple elementary schools, including a few years in Gold Hill, OR. Moving back to California, she graduated in 1993 from Summerville High School in Tuolumne, CA. Jennie lived in Tuolumne County, an hour north of Yosemite, for 29 years. There, she had her daughter and met her husband. The three of them, along with their dog Pip, relocated to Southern Oregon in August 2021. Jennie volunteered with the Red Cross for 5 years, deploying to several national disasters with Logistics. She also sat on the Downtown Sonora Chamber of Commerce Board prior to relocating to Southern Oregon. Jennie's heart for helping people in time of need has carried over to helping families navigate their options after the loss of a loved one or help them plan in advance.

Wes Balken
Grounds Superintendent
Wes was born in Whittier, CA and raised in OR. He began working in this industry in 1982 and has been the Grounds Superintendant for Memory Gardens Memorial Park for over twenty years. Previously he did Ranch Work and Roofing. He enjoys helping families and in the community you can find him helping anyone in need. Wes enjoys many outside activities, including riding quads and spending time with family. He is married and has four daughters and four grandchildren; two boys and two girls.

Chris Morales
Groundskeeper

Julie Mccurry
Administrator
Julie was born in Redding, CA where she graduated High School. She moved to the Rogue Valley in 2019 where she began work as a Cemetery Administrator for Hillcrest Memorial Park. Julie enjoys making the grieving process as comfortable as possible for her families. She also enjoys spoiling her grandsons, crafting and reading. She has one daughter and one son and two grandsons.

Edy Westcott
Administrator
Explore Our Location
See where we are located.