Death dismembers us.
As surely as amputating a limb from our body, death removes a member of our family, our community, our very selves, leaving us broken, wounded, and achingly uncertain of how to move through life.
The word “remember” is generally defined as, “to have in or be able to bring to one’s mind an awareness of someone or something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past”. However, I believe that the word “remember” in grief is much more powerful, much more an active verb than that definition suggests.
To remember in grief is to actively “re-member” ourselves. To re-call to ourselves, to re-attach to ourselves, the members that death has taken from us.
Each photo submission to the wall is accompanied by the answer to one question: “Which of your loved one’s defining characteristics would you most like to embody?”
I am so grateful to all those who have chosen to share their remembrances with us.
Alakay
His love and playfulness
Alakay’s Mum
All My Babies I’ve Lost in the Past 10 Years. My Angels.
They were all so loving. All rescues. All cats former feral cats.
Madison
Alivia ‘LIVY’ Priest
My ‘Angel Livy’. Her heart was bigger than the Universe…Fly High my love. Your Mommy
Christina Marie Priest
Antonionio, The Duke of Milan
Protector
Stephanie Rogers
Apollo
Strength and happiness
Matthew
Arrow
Love and loyalty
Emma
Aspen
A tiny girl who was so tough, former feral I rescued.
Madison
Aud
Kindness
Lael
Baby Cleo
My Little Heart, my best friend, my courage, my love
Robin B.
Bagel
Love
Eszter and Jason
Bandit
His quirkiness
Mariah
Bean
Loyal with an attitude!
Marc Borza
Bean
Enjoyment of life, strength, adventure, belief in myself, being myself, prioritizing myself, loyalty
Isabelle
Bella Bland Lauck
Unconditional love
Moms Kim & El
BelleRogers
Constant Guardian
Stephanie Rogers
Benjamin Michael Patrick Priest
To have the Courage and Devotion you gave your Mommy EVERY day ALL day💙
Your Mommy
Bodhi
Fierce love, protection, and joy
Mary
Brownie
The way he could bring smiles and abundance of Love!! Forever in our hearts, we love and miss you dearest kitty ❤️
Louise
Brucie
Courage
Mariette
Bugz
Your love goes beyond this life. Although we miss you, you are still alive in our hearts. ❤️
Craig and Shakina
Buster
Pure love and joy
Mary Connolly
Butcher
RIP Butcher, never forgotten
Bell
Callie
Sweet and hilarious
Marc Borza
Cedar
Ready to adventure, devotion, and boundaries
Mary
Chai Spice Parker
Chai was the biggest cuddle bug.
Tiff
Charley
Best friend and biggest love
Charley’s companion — Lisa
Charlie
Friendly
Vanessa
Charlie
Living in the moment
Anne
Charlie
Light of my life
Christopher
My beloved boy, Chip
Loyalty
Charles Yochim
Clarence
Gentleness
Lael
Clooney
Clooney, you will always be my kitty. You were the best kitty in the world.
Lenka
Cloud
My very brave and loving baby, Cloud. Thank you for never failing to show us love, making us laugh, and protecting us until the end. You are always in my heart. I love you forever.
Angel
Cody, Lishtavier, The Lotif
His happiness when he did his bone dance.
Kat
Cordelia Lee
Gentle Heart
Stephanie Rogers
Cumin
Her ability to see Love everywhere: in all people, places, things and experiences!
Siena Lee-Tajiri
Dahlia
Bravery
Lael
Dante
Acceptance and inclusion
Meg E.
Debbie Rogers and
Betty Jo Rogers
Joy, Patience, and Strength
Stephanie Rogers
Anything good I am is because of you.
Deuce Hendricks
His ability to love unconditionally, to provide so much comfort, and his passion for life.
Kristy Hendricks
Dolce and Agape
Devotion and Unconditional Love
Stephanie Rogers
May you never be further apart than this.
Duke
Goofy
Rachel
Dusty
Dusty was the most calm, grounding, sweet and unconditionally loving creature. He taught me how to love without limits.
Shawna
Elizabeth Priest
Patience
Christina Priest
Ellie
Excitement, energy, pure joy 💕
Mary
Elliott
The will to live and inner strength
Lael
Etreyu My Love
Abundant Power in Love
Michele Novembre
The Fancy Dog
Fearlessness
Stephanie Rogers
Never apart
Frosty
Loyalty
Denise
Gold
Inquisitive, loving, healer. My buddy.
Annan
Grace
Grace, tremendous love, and loyalty
Marie and Ernie
Harlow
Strength and Wisdom
Rhanda
Harvey Milk
His strength and loyalty!
Harvey’s Mama
Henry
His faithfulness
Cathy Hall
Hercules, Zeus, Frank and Izzy
I’m grateful for the journey, the love, the companionship, the smiles, the cuddles and their little spirits which will live on with me forever.
Matthew Miller
Honey Boo
Honey Boo had all encompassing love and everyone became her best friend once they entered her inner circle. We love you sweet sunshine. ❤️🐾
Ashley M.
Huckleberry
Accepting everything/one, loves differently, and selflessness.
Merle Clearfield
Jack, Schmalko
His loyalty and the way he made me feel loved.
Kat
Jagger Amadeus
Bravery
Susan B.
Janis
Unconditional Love
Casey
Jimmy
Adventurous
Dana Marie
Jimmy Choo
Never let me touch him, but always gave slow eye blinks. One of our colony kitties.
Madison
Joey
You taught me how to make the most of every day. I love and miss you.
The Mom
Jonah
Courage
Lori Johnson
Josh Barker
My Big Brother — who is always with me but missed every single day. He’s my Guardian Angel.
Kristen Watson
Junior and Buddy Better Known as Budders
They gave us unconditional love and devotion.
John Solometo
Kelly
Her over-the-top happiness and her hilarious panting noises.
Kristin
Khloe & Freckles
Their unconditional love
Nicole Dayan
Kitty
Loving and brave ❤️
Brigette
KodiCat
Gentleness and wisdom
Ma
Kona
The way she looked at the world with awe and wonder.
Myra
Lanai
She was sooo ornery but sooo loving. Gone too soon.
MaryEllen Jones
Licorice
The sweetest, calmest, and “chillest” boy
Kristen
Liesel Marie
Always cuddle and love but don’t forget to play and show your happiness.
Jan & Gene (Mommy & Daddy)
Lola
My Best Girlfriennnnnnddddd!! ❤️
Shakina
Lola
Devoted brave beautiful rescue
Wendy
Loulou (Louloudia Moon) 2005-2020
My girl with the golden eyes, a most gentle soul…
Nina
Lucky
His free, feisty spirit
Karolee
Macavity
Best head butts, kisses, and snuggles from street cat I rescued.
Madison
Macho
Macho’s confidence, swagger and assertiveness – he was fiercely loyal to friends and family and kept everything under control…
Lisa
Madelief (Agapi) 01/01/2005-20/05/2022
My sweet little girl, kitty-always-satisfied
Nina
Maggie
Loving. Comforting. Curious. Seeing things from a different angle. I treasure the time we had together little Maggie.
Donna (Mommy)
Maggie
The presence of pure innocence & joy.
Michael
Maisey “Mais” Bivona
Joyful enthusiasm for life’s little pleasures ❤️
Randi Bivona
Mama Cat aka Cat Woman
Her bravery and unconditional love. Run wild and free in Heaven, my beloved Mama Cat, until we meet again.
Love, Louise
Marshmallow, Little
Her exquisite joy.
Kat
Milo
Empathy
Michelle
Miso
My sweet brave, kind soulmate boy cat
Pam
Molly
Her tiny, but powerful presence. How people gravitated to her, and brought endless unconditional love/joy.
Mummy & Daddy
Molly
Fiesty with a compassionate core.
Lael
My beloved Mona
Her inner peace
Rita Hammock
Mr. Gray
Adventurous
Steve Dakota
Mrvica
Persistence and curiosity
Marta
Nemo Nevermore
Nemo was one of the most intelligent people I have ever known.
Tiff
Ollie
His sweetness
Mike Yochim
Oot
Bravery even when outmatched and always communicating wants and needs
Terry
Oreo
Endless love & kindness
Rosetta Mcbride
Otis
A kingly level of intelligence & warmth & self confidence, pure love to those he trusted
Emma & Craig
Otter May
Accepting
Joy Tiseo
Paulette Theodora
STRENGTH
Laura
Pauline
Determination and intelligence.
Lael
Penny Lane — Baby Lainey
Precious and gentle little lamb
Cheryl Wyatt
Pepper
Lovable companion
Nancy O.
Phoebe
To enjoy the small moments fully
Lisa
Phoebe Yochim
Her love and caring for animals and the Native Americans.
Mike Yochim
Pica
Curious and playful
Preston, “Mr. Kitty”
Trust and empathy
M Caro
Pyzi
Precious
Pyzi
Queeny
My baby, my heart 🐯💙
Julyia
My son Raul
Face
Mary Galindo
Red
His eyes. He used them to see into my soul and calm my heart.
Marroo
Remey
Her pure innocence
Bridgette
Rico
My familiar…my soulmate. From the hard times to the good times, you were always there. I miss you so much. Rest in peace, baby boy. <3
Adrian
Rico
Sweetheart ♥️ Carefree ♥️ Loveable
Stacy
Riley
My sweet special wobbly tortie girl with a model’s walk! She loved lasers, her big brother Gus & most of all cuddling with her mama. She has my soul forever.
Stacie Sullivan (Riley’s mom)
Rusty Davis
Joyful
Dana Marie
Sadie
Sadie’s kind and gentle soul
Logan
Sage
My Love, my Friend, and my Companion
Frank Hartley
Salem
My love and constant companion
Cynthia
Sammy… my precious baby boy, the love of my life
Sammy was the most patient dog, and such a loving little boy. He was loving and kind to everyone he met along the way, with sweetness and love. He can never be replaced 🙁 and his loss is deeply felt and grieved tremendously. My precious baby, mama loves you and can’t wait to see you again. <3
Sammy’s Mama
Sampson
Tenderness
Lori Johnson
Sara
Aware
Joy Tiseo
Sasha
Kindness, enjoyment of life
Jen B.
Sasha
Wild beauty
Stephanie Rogers
Scrappy
Wanted to be free in the world
Angela
Seattle
She was the fastest scooter around.
Dinia Saban
Ser Pounce-a-lot
The archetypal Big Dumb Orange Boy. Loud, obsessed with food, and so sweet.
Grace
My Beloved Shadow
You were my whole life! Your trusting and loyal nature your boundless energy, your unconditional love. You were taken from me much too soon. Even though you are no longer with me in body, you are always with me in spirit. I love you and you will always live in my heart and in my soul because you are a part of me. I love you Shadow…I know we will be together again.
Vilma
Simon
Love of others
Lael
Skipper
My sweet baby boy.
Patricia
Sky
My cat Sky, was always just herself. Smart, funny, sweet, fierce and highly sensitive. She will always be a role model for me to pause when things get stressful.
Kaylene
Snoopy
Fearless
Eszter
Spark
Unconditional Love
Denise
Speckles, Squamish
Her resilience and bravery.
Kat
Stacey Lynn
Pure Love
Mark
Susi
Unconditional love
Gabi
Sylvester
King of the House
Nancy O.
Teagun Quinn
Unconditional love
Kelley Quinn
Teddy
Teddy was fearless. Despite being only 7lbs, he was not afraid of anything. He was a loving, brave little boy and I will love him and miss him for the rest of my life!
Vilma
Tegan
Curious
Joy Tiseo
Tigerlily
Calmness
Stephen Michael
Toby
To my very loving and shy baby, Toby. How I miss your cute doe eyes and your sweetness. Thank you for sticking with us for some time. I truly miss you everyday. I love you, forever.
Angel
Tony — My Titu
My perfect little gentleman
Cheryl Wyatt
Travis the Chuffer Man
Patience.
Stephanie Rogers
Thank you for waiting for me.
Trish the Dowager Empress
Grace
Stephanie Rogers
Tucker
Resilient, fearless, and loving
Elizabeth Vagianos
Valley Girl
Her little morning wake-me-ups
Elizabeth
Violet
She was also known as Violetta.
Kristen Watson
She was my person. And I was hers.
She was bold, fearless and strong.
Walrus
Her eagerness for adventure.
Kat
Yolanda Baca
She was never afraid to be herself.
Yolaine M Robinson
YORU
You will always be remembered and live in our hearts forever. We love you very much, our dearest little sunbeam. ❤️
Mom V, Dad BG, Ate Aoi
Yuki
My dearest Yuki, I miss you day by day. I’m just happy you’re not in any pain anymore. You mean the whole world to me. I love you no matter what. I miss you a lot.
Angel
Zach, Ollie, and Chip
My 3 best friends.
Chuck Yochim
Ziggy Stardust Linn
Her ability to love, explore, and comfort
Shell Linn
Zoe
Zoe — my sweet, strong, beautiful girl — forever loved and missed — Mommy
Melissa Cooper
