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Tributes

Every life remembered. Every story valued.

We honor the people we love who have been lost or injured to overdose.

If you would like to share a tribute, please submit it below. Tributes will be added to our online memorial wall as soon as they are reviewed.

In loving memory

My son Christopher Connors

My boy Christopher’s journey came to an end on 11/11/22 at the age of 29 💜

... Amy

Robin Buffalo

Robin Buffalo is my dad. He passed on November 20th 2024 in an attic where he had been left all by himself in an active overdose. He relapsed after being sober for quite a while, he came back home after being in jail and fought to be the great dad he once before he had got into drugs. All my life, i seen my dad struggle with yet fight his addictions. Some days he won, some days he lost but never ever, did he stop being a good dad. Despite his hardships he learn to live life on his own, despite the war he faced every single day while living with BPD he woke up and tried to make a good day for his children. He loved his family, he was proud. He didn’t know any better the leading up to the day of his death, he though he was just going to go back to his city life until he hung with the wrong crowd, people that were jealous of the life he had. People that wanted to hurt him, people that were so evil that they left him to die all alone in an attic. Their selfishness left me and my 7 siblings heartbroken, left his wife of 20 years in pain. His family that wanted to make things better. His friends that wished for another moment with him. Left everyone who loved him with an empty heart. I wish someone had just stayed with him, helped him, do something. Because if they did, we wouldn’t have a chance with him again. We would’ve gotten our father back, my mom would get the love of her life back.

... Shanaya

Jerica Marie Leigh

Seven days Jerica, a Friday so bright then Iron gates opened wide a glimpse of light. A fragile hope, a whisper in the summer breeze a chance for new beginnings amidst the trees.
I saw you smile and I heald you near hoping the darkness would disappear. I wished for sunshine and a peaceful shore fir you to be free and struggle nomore.
But the chains of addiction they held on tight. a battle waged through the day and the rest of the night. The pull was stronger the whispers was loud … lost in the shadows.. lost in the crowd.
Next Friday came a different type of dawn, the hope extinguished, Jerica was gone. An overdose claimed you in a cruel embrace, leaving a void in time and in space.
The weight of freedom was a heavy cost
Friday’s promise, Friday’s end
A cruel twist of fate a loss to mend..
May her memory be a beacon bright to guide others from the darkest night…
I love you Jerica and I miss you more than I can even explain.. My first daughter, my first best friend, mommy will see you again.. 08/02/2024
#7DAYZHOME

... Jeannette

To many to name individually

I work at a Syringe Service Provider, and I just wanted to acknowledge all the people who have been lost to overdose, endocarditis, sepsis, and all substance-related issues. You are missed, you were and are loved and remembered. I am waiting for the day when there are no more purple hearts to be added to our remembrance tree. Your life mattered! It mattered to your family, friends, and to the people whose lives you have touched. You had an illness and not a moral failing. You were loved!!

... Claudia Mattheiss

Alan Robert

Alan was a handsome boy who loved to make people laugh. He taught himself how to play guitar and was so good he played with experienced musicians at the age of 15! He was a Mommas boy who was raised by his Mom and Sisters. He also loved his dog Max so much. After a long struggle with addiction, Alan lost his battle at 24 years old. I miss him every minute of every day. I know your struggle is over and you are free to be you Son 💜 I love you so much!

... Robin

Aiden James

In August it will be one year since I lost my oldest son, just 22 at the time. I miss him so much, I didn’t know that you could miss somebody this immensely. He’s a huge loss and I still don’t know how to get my brain to even accept that I can’t talk to him or hug him or tell him I love him or hear him call me Mom ever again. But that’s my reality. Grief and pain and despair is consuming and it knocks the wind out of you and steals the floor from beneath your feet and you find yourself on your knees, sobbing, and begging for the one thing that you don’t ever get back. But I will say one thing, nobody ever gets to take away the honor I feel of being his mom. And I would go through this awful pain an infinite amount of lifetimes in a row just to end up here again and again and again because he’s worth this pain. He’s worth this awful heartache I find myself in and he always will be. I love you, I miss you. But I am grateful I had you

... Jodie Nicole

My mommy

12/24/24
I still have your Christmas present I made all wrapped up. It will stay that way forever.
You always said you would be a butterfly. It was our symbol. I know you were the butterfly at the peak of the mountain trail on my birthday. You still found a way to give me my butterfly.
It’s coming up on 6 months without you and I still can’t believe you’re not here. I will spend the rest of my life searching for a sign of you in everything. You were my best friend. I love you so much mommy.

... Your baby, Britt Britt

Abeni Mary Agnes Sharon Forsythe

I love you and miss you so much my beautiful precious princess queen 🙁 losing you was the worst thing that happened to me and having to learn to live without you has been the biggest challenge that I have ever gone through. I know that I was never the best mother but I know in my heart and soul that when I sobered up that I was the best mother a kid can ask for. I know we didn’t see eye to eye with a lot of decision making and sometimes my mother decisions upset you and made you upset with me and I have to live with that every day, I hope that you know that no matter what I loved you with everything i got. I dream about you and your upset with me in my dreams for not being there for a time period when I was so lost myself and I am deeply sorry for that my baby. I need to forgive myself for a lot of things and most of all I pray that you were able to forgive me to. I love you my Abeni Mary Agnes Sharon Forsythe, with all my heart and all my soul and with everything I got. Soon I will be letting your ashes go, and i think that will be one of the hardest days of my life but it needs to be done so you can rest easy my baby. I miss you calling me mama, I miss your cute little fingers in my hair or helping me scratch an itch on my back, I miss your hugs and I miss your thoughtfulness and kindness towards absolutely everyone. I miss everything about you my baby and I wish that you never left so soon because you were supposed to take care of me when I grew old 🙁

... Love your Mama

My little brother

8/11/22 The day our hearts shattered, and the world changed as we knew it. You will always be in our hearts forever.

... Sara

My big and only brother

Overdosed in 2023 still isn’t easy

... Mike

Jordan

I miss you. I hate how your story ended. I wish you had more time to fight and find happiness outside of drugs. You deserved more out of life. You had so much to offer.

I look for you everywhere, but I’m always disappointed. It’s hard to accept I may never find a bond like ours again.

Thank you for helping me become a better version of myself. You had many flaws, but you were always rooting for me. I hope you know I was always rooting for you too.

RIP my sweets

... Briana

Matt Staben, my big brother

You will always be remembered.
You will always be here.

... Nick

Efren Adam Salazar (My Big Brother)

To my forever Big brother. Though I have outlived you by 18 years in my mind and heart you will forever be my Big Brother. I am so sorry that this evil thing called addiction, took over in a way you felt there was no way back from. Me being and addict in recovery, can never wrap my head around why I am still here. When you like many many other were not so lucky. It’s so unfair. My entire world changed the day you left. This world would be so much better if you were still here, our lives would be so much happier. In the 29 short years you were in this world in my eyes you lived so much and did so much, even though life knocked you down several times, you still found a way to bring so many people happiness. I am proud and lucky to have had such an amazing big brother that always protected me since the day I was born. I have so many good memories of you. I only wish you were still here because I know a million more good memories would have followed. This Tribute is to you and the life you lived, the smiles and laughter you brought to myself and many other. I Love you so much. I hope you are now free of all your pain. I feel you watching over me. Until we meet again in heaven above. God Rest your soul.
You are forever 29 but forever my Big Brother!!

... Melanie Salazar

Charity Dickey

You was my best friend since I was six years old and you were 4. I miss you everyday. I’m living with Bekah and Juanda Lee for a little while. I’m hoping my time here helps Bekah heal some, and I hope that Juanda remembers the stories from when we grew up. Maybe that will help her. You’ve been gone 3 years but I still feel like you are going to pop in the door like “gotcha”. Charity I won’t be here with them that much longer maybe a couple of months, but I hope I can help your sister and your little girl. I overdosed exactly a month before you. Thank God Sherri found me. I’ve been told that you wasn’t alone that people we’ve been friends with our whole lives just left you. I pray that’s not true because the rage that I feel inside when I think of that. Bekah and I are going to Dayton tomorrow to go to mamaw and pawpaw and Grandma’s graves. I’m going to print some pictures for Juanda Lee. I’m going to make her something cool with pictures and twine. Something she can have forever and one day show to your grandbabies. I’ll do my best to be here for them. I love you Cha Cha. You are my sister my best friend and my partner in crime. Lol I love you and miss you everyday.

... Mandy Humphrey

Becca Jean

21 years I had you as my best friend! We laughed and danced, and sang together in the car! Your light was so bright. No one will ever take your place! I love you more then words can express. Thank you for everything!

... Emily

Alexa "Lexi" White

We had you for 20 years, until fentanyl surprised us all. What matters now is that your strong, bright spirit is still with us – reminding us how you lived: with unconditional love for others, with joy, appreciating the little things, caring for those who were hurting, being a true friend, giving of yourself until you had nothing left. A beautiful soul who danced, who wrote, who loved nature and kitty cats, so much more…No one will ever forget. Our ray of sunshine. Forever.

... mama Debra

Uncle Bobby Hamilton

One of the kindest souls I know. He was the daddy I never had and no matter how he lived his life he was great to us kids. He is missed every single day. Love you Uncle Bob. There was and never will be another like you.

... Angie

Michael Schmidt

Michael, we lost you too soon. March 24 your life was ended. People say you’re at peace now. We’d like to believe you are. You fought hard to rid yourself of the demons. You were a beautiful soul. We miss you so very much. You were an amazing son, brother, father, nephew too. The breaking of a heart is the loudest quiet ever 💔. Prayers to all the families who lost loved ones to this madness. Please know we did our best.

... Anna, David and Daddy’s Aylabug. Lots of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Anthony Notarstefano

Anthony was a bright light in our lives, a soul whose caring nature touched everyone he met. He had a special love for children, always patient and gentle, and his laughter was truly contagious—one of those rare, joyful sounds that could fill a room and lift any spirit. His smile was unforgettable, lighting up even the darkest days. Anthony adored his brothers and was endlessly proud of them. Protecting them was his greatest wish; he would do anything to keep them safe and happy. His sense of humor was unmatched, always ready with a joke or a funny story, making sure there was never a dull moment in our home.

... Nichole

My husband, Mark

As long as I breathe, you will be loved, remembered and celebrated….
Always part of my heart and soul….see you on the other side….
Forever, Lisa

... Lisa

Nicole Figueroa

You are missed by averi melody Esposito n Jonathan Esposito roses r red violets are blue everyday I love n miss you 4-7-90-1-16-25

... Jonathan Esposito n Averi melody Esposito