A group in Central New York is working to honor nurses who have devoted their lives to helping others.

The Central New York Syracuse Nurses Honor Guard is comprised of active and retired volunteer nurses that attend the funerals of nurses who have died and pay tribute to their heroes who have passed.

“We look for obituaries, and then I call the funeral directors and say, 'We see you’re taking care of this person, and we’d like to attend and honor our fellow nurses,'” said founder Faith Terry.

The group was in Auburn at the funeral of fellow nurse Meg Strocko.

They perform a Nightingale Tribute, which includes the poem “She was There,” the presentation of a white rose, a lamp to the family, a final roll call and a closing prayer.

“We have we have done 55 tributes," Terry said. "We have done a memorial ceremony at Crouse Hospital for 19 of our nurses who have died.”

At a dinner to mark their one-year anniversary, Debra Walczyk said her mother was the group's first tribute, and she felt driven to join.

“It really, really helped us with closure as a family member,” she said. “Aside from the fact that nurses are amazing, I needed to join to help push it forward.”

Claudia Hurne says while the tribute is certainly for the individual being remembered, it is also for their loved ones.

“To sort of acknowledge to the families that these nurses, they serve for a reason, and so if we can provide any comfort to them or help, it’s worth it,” Hurne said.

Sometimes, due to their work they perform, a tribute is held for a nurse one of the members knew personally. Deanna Shon went to high school with Strocko, and remembered her for her kindness. She said it adds another layer to the experience.

“It’s emotional because you are doing this tribute for another nurse that you knew well. So, it’s just really impactful,” she said.

Barbara Lyke emphasized how important it is for her to honor colleagues that she knows from experience gave their all to their profession and their patients year after year, day in and day out.

“I was drawn to it, and I knew that I just had to do this. And it’s such an honor,” she said. “I get so much more out of it than I put into it.”

Terry agreed.

“I’m so blessed by being able to help these families in the loss of their loved ones,” Terry said. “I just love what we do, and I’m so grateful to all of these nurses who are working with me.”

Terry said chapters have also been formed in Batavia, Rochester and the Hudson Valley, with chapters getting off the ground in Buffalo, Albany and New York City.

She said those, as well as the Central New York Syracuse Honor Guard, are looking for nurses to be a part of the group and to take part in tributes.