In April 2022, the YMCA began offering Traveling Through Grief, a bereavement support series that meets twice a year. Since then, many individuals have walked this journey together, learning to live again after the loss of a loved one.

To honor those who have passed and to support one another in remembrance, we have designated a sycamore tree along the Mulford Nature Trail as a Memorial Tree for participants in Traveling Through Grief. This tree, planted nearly a decade ago, continues to grow strong — a living symbol of love, memory, and community.

We gather names here as a way to remember, honor, and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed. This list is updated annually.

Memorial Dedications

• Judy Bauer (April 2022 class participant) – In memory of her parents, Robert Trimble, April 20, 2019; and Callie Trimble, April 3, 2020
• JoAnn Beaulieu (class participant) – In memory of her husband, Edward Beaulieu, March 12, 2019
• Pat Bennett (April 2022 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Stephen J. Bennett, January 24, 2021
• Kit Carson (September 2025 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Allen Carson, September 20, 2020
• Sonja Case (September 2025 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Steven Case, January 2, 2018
• Dave Coughlin (April 2022 class participant) – In memory of his wife, Cathy Coughlin, March 22, 2021
• Karen Cravens (January 2023 class participant) – In memory of her spouse, Ted Campbell, October 24, 2022
• Jamie Ehrlich (April 2022 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Pete Ehrlich, October 26, 2021
• Jo Ann Esterkamp (January 2024 class participant) – In memory of her husband, John Esterkamp, June 8, 2023
• Liz Gunningham (January 2024 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Andy Gunningham, August 12, 2022
• Kathy Hand (April 2022 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Jerry Hand, August 5, 2020
• Don Hahn (January 2024 class participant) – In memory of his wife, Sally Hahn, November 15, 2023
• Andrea Henson (January 2025 class participant) – In memory of her son, Linden Oscar Henson, October 13, 2024
• Sandy Hock (class participant) – In memory of her husband, Larry Hock, October 3, 2022; along with Elizabeth Swift, Larry’s daughter
• Mary Holmes (January 2025 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Robert Larry Holmes, August 7, 2024
• Marge Jones (September 2025 class participant) – In memory of her brother, Dr. Thomas Freytag, May 11, 2025; and her sister-in-law, Gwynne Freytag, June 21, 2025
• Karen Kaliinyak (January 2025 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Joseph Martin, September 29, 2024
• Dan Keeley (January 2024 class participant) – In memory of his wife, Chris Keeley, January 3, 2024
• Jayne Keys (January 2026 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Don L. Keys, March 20, 2025
• Judy Leighton (class participant) – In memory of her husband, Phillip Leighton, February 18, 2022
• Carolyn Lucke (January 2023 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Ronald W. Lucke, October 30, 2020; and her son, Edward Ronald Lucke, June 4, 1991
• Jim Ludwick (April 2022 class participant) – In memory of his mother, Mary Ludwick, December 31, 2020
• Peggy McCollum (January 2026 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Terry McCollum, January 31, 2025
• Sussy Mercedes (April 2023 class participant) – In memory of her father, Ernesto Mercedes, August 28, 2020
• Judy Meyer (class participant) – In memory of her husband, Ed Meyer, November 2021
• Diana Mink (September 2023 class participant) – In memory of her daughter, Dana Huntey, September 25, 2022
• Marianne Miller (class participant) – In memory of her spouse, Howard W. Miller, July 8, 2019
• Dick Miller (April 2022 class participant) – In memory of his wife, Pat Miller, November 20, 2021
• Kathy Oliver (January 2025 class participant) – In memory of her significant other, Steven D. Leverton, September 8, 2023
• Marty and Hans Roggensack (September 2025 class participants) – In memory of their son, Karsen, February 6, 2011; Hans’ mother, Irma Mangels, January 29, 2023; and Hans’ uncle, Werner Tams, September 10, 2022
• Susan Saari (September 2025 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Robert Saari, December 8, 1923
• Mark Shue (September 2024 class participant) – In memory of his wife, Nancy Shue, July 14, 2024
• Beth Statt (September 2023 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Andy Statt, July 23, 2023
• Elizabeth Steinle (September 2023 class participant) – In memory of her husband, Chris Watkins, April 1, 20222
• Chris Wentler (September 2025 class participant) – In memory of her husband, George E. Wentler, February 19, 2025
• Diana Williams (class participant) – In memory of her husband, Larry Williams, August 1, 2022; and her mother, Faye Eubank, June 25, 2021
• Susan Vass (January 2026 class participant) – In memory of her friend, Susan Roundtree, January 2, 2026; her dad, Frank Vass, February 16, 2016; and her mom, Eva Vass, May 5, 2021

This space is a reminder that grieving is not a journey we take alone. Together, we remember. Together, we heal.