Tributes

Remembering those who have lost their lives – or have been injured – as a result of a drug overdose is an important part of International Overdose Awareness Day.

If you would like to commemorate someone, you are invited to add a Tribute.
Tributes will be posted on this site as soon as they are approved.

Deonnah Lorne Duffield

She was a wonderful daughter and mother and sister she put everyone else first she was so down to earth and it’s unfortunate that she took a pill that was laced with fentanyl she was in pain and her friend gave it to her and it killed her but she was a wonderful person it’s a shame that they put that in pills or even sell it that is one drug that is so deadly it takes a little please be aware of it but I miss her every day I love her so much not a day goes by you’re not thought of love you baby girl

... Marybeth Duffield

Kevin Knolton Jr

I’ve known Kevin since he was a baby.
He did what boys do as he got older more bold or silly upstairs. I think he was 14 just got my motor installed on my 71 442 conv going for a ride I had to grab wallet I come out little blond head pop over dashboard well he decided he wasn’t waiting.
Kevin shine bright as you made people smile and shine bright

... Scott

Kenneth Bench

I miss the nights we would watch tv together, casa Bonita, the duck store, and mostly I miss the plans I have always hoped for. I’m sorry addiction and mental health won this battle, but I promise to battle for you. Everyone misses you very much dad. I love you forever.

... Rylee

Susie Maynard

I miss how we used to laugh until we were crying or peeing, whichever came first!!! I miss your cute little feet, and how much you loved your cats, and I promise they were in GREAT HANDS, myself included. Can’t believe it’s close to 8 years now. Your momma misses you terribly, but I will look after her as well, we got very close friends after u left. I love her too! I will stock up on plenty of Irish spring for snack time…lol. see ya in the not to awful distance. Love you

... Jennifer

Marcie Kay Rupert

Miss you so much since you overdosed on July 7, 1990.
Love you. Laurie

... Laurie

My Brother

He had a heart of gold that filled with grief and shame after years of addiction and mental illness. July 6 marked four years since I lost my little brother to an overdose. Since September is Overdose Awareness month, as well as his birth month, I dedicate this tribute in memory of him. I miss you so much. I pray that you are at peace. Happy 37th Birthday in heaven. I love you forever, Louie. 🕊️ ✝️💜

... Gina

Kimberly Ann Hardwick

My Momma – born June 26, 1967, in Sacramento, California.

I miss her.

My mom taught me to laugh at myself; and more importantly, to laugh at others. 😛

Like most moms’, my momma loved her family; she was the glue that held our family together; and as such, it fell apart in her absence.

I lost my dad in 2019, but I had 10 years to prepare myself for that. I still am not sure what is worse – the suddenness of an overdose or the lingering, anticipatory grief that accompanies a terminal illness.

Until that night in 2016, I had no idea what grief felt like. I did not know that when you lose someone, you also lose part of yourself – a part you will never get back because it has shattered into a million pieces. That you will try picking up the pieces and reassemble them exactly as they had been before – but you soon realize all of the secondary losses, and it is starting to sink in that there is no way you will be able to avoid this. You realize the unfairness of it – a bump in the road is one thing, but this is an entire changing of the course.

And eventually, once you accept your new reality, you grow despite the piece thats missing. And you realize that this is a wound time will never heal. You will always carry it with you. This is when you can finally look at pictures, watch those videos you saved where you can hear her laugh. Now you can remember her beauty in and out and you can share it with the world in a positive light – which is what she would want you to do anyways.

An overdose carried with it a bit of shame – so remind yourself of their strength. My momma was a fighter.

And I miss her.

... Kelsey Kay

Denise

My mother Denise died alone of an overdose while living unhoused in Fresno. It was habit she had tried to kick since I was born, but after losing custody of my sister and I (this time permanently) she worked hard to get sober.

I didn’t find out until I was older my mother was living with schizophrenia and PTSD, both of which were untreated. I wish she could have gotten access to the mental healthcare and housing she needed. Despite being a young and struggling adult myself at the time of her passing, I have felt guilty these past not being able to do more.

This year I finally earned my masters degree and will be getting married in the fall. I wish you could share these celebrations with me. I love you mama, I understand you, and I forgive you. I won’t forget you in the work I do, how I treat others, and how I move through this world. Thank you for the laughter, car karaoke, and a love for reading.
September 4th 1969-July 11th 2019

... Adri

Austin Romberger

My sweet son Austin was 22 when he passed and was the most loveable,kind, funniest man. He would of given you the shirt of his back! He was the best son I will miss you forever rest easy and peacefully my son mamma loves you forever.

... MAMA (Dee)

Sam Diest🩵 My Person

Sam.. I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since I’ve seen you’re face, heard you’re voice, seen you smile, felt you’re touch. This has truly been a nightmare I can’t wake up from. My Love there’s not a day I don’t think about you and wish you were still here with me and our baby boy.. life will never be the same. Caden is your twin as we’ve always known. But now that you’re not here it’s even more clear. He misses you so much daddy, it’s been so hard to try to find ways for him to understand you’re gone. I’ve told him to look In the sky you’re always watching us. I never imagined I’d just be him & I now. We had it all 7 years together we created a family together we raised our baby for 3 years and that’s all we got.. I’m heartbroken I’m lost I’m holding on for our son. I love you more then words forever my Sam Sam🫶🏼 Caden will always know daddy is forever in our hearts..

... Trinity

Todd Edward Knight

You are dearly missed by family and friends, God has called you to be with him, now you’re in heaven. I miss the funny jokes you use to tell us at the family gatherings. Love you !

... john knight

Matt

Brother, I miss you immensely. You’ve been gone 19 months and I wake up every day in disbelief. I believe you’re now finally free and I try so hard to reconcile that with how much I miss you.

Stay close to me; I still need you, doofus.

I love you tons.

... Sarah

Dad

Dear dad,
Not a day goes by where I don’t think about your silly laugh and horrible jokes you weren’t just my dad you were my best friend I miss being able to tell you everything you were nothing but an amazing human you not only touched my heart but anyone you met you knew how to light up a room and put a smile on everyone’s face I hope too see you again one day I’m sure we will have a lot to catch up on and jack your pet cat also misses you I’m glad you are at peace and are not struggling with addiction anymore I wish you were here daddy you’d be proud of me and Jukes navigating my everyday life is difficult without you but I’m glad you were the man who raised me right and I’ll continue to live on for you I’m glad I got 18 years with you I wouldn’t want it any other way ❤️

... West

Rianna Weber

You are missed everyday by all of us who love you. Your beautiful soul will never be forgotten

... Auntie

Alan Jeffrey Eagle ||

My only son, I miss you desperately and think about you everyday. He was a loving father of 3, an uncle to 5 , and a goofy but caring brother to 2 sisters . He had a heart of gold and the politeness of ten men. Missed terribly by Mom, Richard, Jenn and Shannon
Fly like an eagle Bub

... Diane

Wendy Murray

My little sister Wendy Murray forever 49 years old passed away on December 11th 2023. She is missed by many people her whole family and friends. Life has forever changed since you have left us. Love you and miss you. Your sister Dawn Murray

... Dawn

Emma Myra daphne baldini

My mother passed away at 63 years old
She had light brown eyes
She was the beloved daughter of Stella
She was born in Newfoundland
I am her son Jason
Why these things happen I do not know
I believe our passed loved ones would want us to be happy. Not sad about there loss

... Jason

Ricky Dean Horton

Ricky was a loving father, grandfather and wonderful partner. We were going to spend our old age together. We had so many plans. He is greatly miss. Rest in peace Ricky, We will meet again. Love you

... Carol

Matthew A.Castillo

In memory of my beautiful nephew Matthew, you are deeply loved and missed and Andre will never forget you 10/9/2023
#forever27

... Aunt Des

Johnny Lamoureux "brother john"

Every day I grieve for you. Miss your bear hugs. You are loved by more people than you knew. A hole in my heart that will never heal. Clean for so long and then relapse took you down. So many what ifs. You were so kind and caring to all and giving to those who went without. I love you Bro and your name is spoken daily. You name sake is so much like you, His voice sounds like you and his walk. The sense of humour you had lives on in all the children. Until we meet again (I know your spirit is aways here)
Love bi sis

... Angela

Andrew Tyree

Sweetheart
We are approaching the third anniversary of the day we lost you, September 12,2021 at the age of 26.
We tried so hard to get you through this but that devastating and powerful disease was too much and you unfortunately were not able to overcome it.
We love and miss you so much,

... Kim and Mickey