On Wednesday, Catherine Szabad set out to make the day of Pat Skretny, who unexpectedly lost her husband Fred four years ago.

What You Need To Know

  • Valentine's Day can be a very lonely day for widows and widowers
  • 'Hearts in Bloom' is a first-year organization delivering flowers and gift baskets to widows and widowers in Erie County, inspired by a North Carolina woman
  • About 40 deliveries were made with the hope of making more next year

"It was quite a shock,” Skretny, of North Tonawanda. “And it also was the very beginning of [the COVID-19 pandemic]. So it was a very devastating time.”

The couple had been married for more than 40 years.

"I'm blessed that I had him for as long as I had him,” said Skretny. “I miss him every day. We did everything together. He was my life. We did everything together.” 

Like celebrate Valentine's Day.

"My husband was a wonderful man,” said Skretny. “He celebrated life to the fullest, and on Valentine's Day he was a very good jewelry giver.”

To see that Skretny and others like her weren't forgotten on Valentine's Day, Szabad started a widow outreach organization, "Hearts in Bloom," inspired by a North Carolina woman.

She let Spectrum News 1 tag along Wednesday, making her deliveries. 

"[It’s] the most satisfying thing I'll probably ever really accomplish,” Szabad. “I just want them to feel happy, even if it's just for one day.”

Spectrum News 1 caught up with volunteers the day before, arranging flowers and putting gift baskets together with community donated goodies for unsuspecting widows and widowers nominated by friends or family.

"They're so deserving, because we all think Valentine's Day is a day set aside for couples. And I look at it differently now. It's a day to remember someone you love and you want to make sure that this person is still cared about," said Szabad.

Like Skretny, one of 40 deliveries made. 

The two spent time together going through the gift box.

"I was very surprised because I didn't expect anybody to be bringing me valentines," said Skretny.

Skretny has her daughter and family, but says others don't have anybody.

"And so this brings joy to their life,” said Skretny. “This is wonderful. I just want to thank you very much for this. This was very kind of you. I'll never forget it. It was quite a surprise.” 

Szabad hopes to expand the program, solicit more volunteers and shoot for 100 deliveries next year.