For Lives Not Lived : Memorial services are held for three unrelated newborns found last month.

Cathy Sullivan stood on the beach with her two daughters as the sun set on an unusual memorial service for three dead newborns found discarded in Orange County during a four-day span last month.

Sullivan said she took the time to attend the service, one of two held simultaneously in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, to show her concern for the children and the still unknown mothers who abandoned them.

“We try so hard in Orange County for them to know that there’s help out there,” Sullivan said. “We did this to heal Orange County a little bit.”

About 75 people attended each ceremony, organized on short notice by community members shocked by the grisly discoveries March 11, 12 and 14.

“I feel very tied to all babies right now,” said Julie Fletcher, a Huntington Beach resident who cradled her 8-month-old daughter Chelsea in her arms during the ceremony here.

“It’s . . . in memory of three babies that never had a chance,” said her husband, Bill Fletcher. “We’re here to look toward the future and realize how important kids are.”

On March 11, the body of a newborn girl washed up on Newport Beach, where it was discovered in the surf line by a woman out for a morning walk. The next day, the body of a second newborn girl was found on Sunset Beach. Two days later, a dead infant boy was found outside the Meadowlark West apartments in San Clemente. All three infants still had their umbilical cords attached. Investigators have not determined the cause of death for any of them.

Participants at services in both locations sang and prayed before throwing flowers into the ocean in memory of the infants.

Organizers said they found the turnout surprising, but suggested the crowds reflected the deep concern county residents feel about the incidents.

“They were throwaways, like an empty packet of cigarettes,” said Dorothy Berriman, who helped organize the Newport Beach service. “Life is precious. . . . Life is sacred.”

Some speakers at the Huntington Beach service used the ceremony to denounce abortion, but most of those present said the memorials were not related to the abortion debate.

Sam Lewis, associate pastor at Beach Cities Community Church in Huntington Beach, said he and his wife have lost four children at birth and the infant deaths played into people’s fears of their own mortality.

“One of the greatest things in life is knowing that your life has meaning and significance,” said Lewis, who also has two living sons.

Carol Paradiso, also a Huntington Beach resident, said she felt “very compelled” to attend the service, in part because she is expecting her first grandchild in June. Paradiso said that concern for the babies should transcend political, social and religious boundaries.

“I think it’s very important for people, no matter what they believe, to be here,” Paradiso said.