Westborough State Hospital in Massachusetts, operated between the late 1800s until its closure in 2010, is historically significant in its treatment of mental health patients. While it was not specifically dedicated to deaf patients, many state hospitals had residents with diverse needs, including those who were deaf

In the early 20th century, deaf individuals in psychiatric care often faced significant challenges due to a limited understanding of their unique communication needs. Misdiagnoses were common because healthcare professionals lacked the training to distinguish between mental illness and issues related to communication barriers. In some cases, deaf patients were institutionalized for reasons unrelated to actual mental illness.

On May 9, 2015, a memorial service was held in nearby Pine Grove Cemetery for the more than 500 patients who died at Westborough State Hospital and whose remains were unclaimed.

Through this expansion of the family archive, Christina’s remains are in the process of being identified and named through her records with th ehospital and through the Pine Grove Cemetery of unnamed patients. Many patients who faced language barriers, as well as financial barriers, were subjected to group burials without the consent of the family. A court order is required to receive the information of her diagnosis as well as burial, likely due to the unjust treatment and burial of patients. A perspective that only comes with the change in perceptions of Deafness as a disability.