Recently, the rose garden was dedicated to city employee, Lisa Strawn, who lost her life to cancer two years ago. Strawn, who worked as an economic development specialist for the city, was a driving force in the brokering and agreements that paved the way for the Gardens on Havana. The garden is named in her honor for her dedication to this project and the citizens of Aurora. She worked tirelessly to make this new center a reality. Strawn also helped attract a number of other significant projects to the city during her tenure at Aurora.
The Havana Business Improvement District worked with the developer, Miller Weingarten, on the idea for the garden. Dedicating it to Strawn came as a natural complement to the development process at the new retail center. The garden occupies a prominent space and features about 20 different types of roses.
“Lisa was instrumental in the positive retail growth that occurred in Aurora over the past decade,” said Kim Stuart, Communications Director and dear friend of Strawn’s. “She loved the outdoors, she loved nature. I find it so fitting that they’ve named the rose garden in her memory in her honor.”
The dedication of the garden in August featured the Aurora Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet who performed for well-wishers, family and friends of Strawn. Ice cream was provided by Baskin Robbins, and samples of delicious food from Noodles & Co and Qdoba restaurants were served. Over 500 people attended the dedication.
Her brother, Scott Strawn said, “Lisa loved her job and the people she worked with. I really want to thank the city of Aurora. It really means a lot. It shows how much Lisa touched the people there. She really was an amazing spirit.”
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