Vermont

July 11, 2026 – November 1, 2026
Opening Reception: July 11, 2026
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brattleboro, VT

Devin Hart Bearden

Devin Hart Bearden

Caring, athletic, bright, witty, attractive At 6’2”, Devin was lanky, handsome, and a natural athlete. Equally at home on a skateboard, snowboard, or when surﬁng, he was a pleasure to watch; so ﬂuid and graceful. He was a good soccer and baseball player and loved hiking in nature or being at the beach, especially on the annual family beach trips to Hatteras in North Carolina.

Sean Timothy Blake

Sean Timothy Blake

Gregarious, witty, loving, generous, creative Sean was a generous, loving, hardworking, and charismatic man. Sean grew up in Vermont with his mother, Kimberly, father, Tim, and younger brother, Ned. The two boys loved building with Legos and played countless games of Monopoly and Risk. Tim and Sean shared a love of music, and the family enjoyed bowling, golf, and travel, making many cherished memories together.

Tyler Carter

Tyler Carter

Beautiful, luminant, loving, compassionate A soft-hearted person, Tyler was kind, compassionate, and brave. Throughout his life, he was always looking out for others and seeing the good in them, despite the circumstances. His mother, Kim, believes he was here to teach people compassion, and that though his time on earth was short-lived, the impact he made continues to live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him. In addition to his kind heart, Tyler was adventurous and brave; he loved the outdoors and spent a lot of his time hiking, fishing, and snowboarding with his friends. He was also intelligent, charming, and loved a good challenge. He was a big fan of reading and collecting his favorite movies; his favorite book series was Game of Thrones.

Amanda Cass

Amanda Cass

Fearless but shattered beneath her mask Silky brown hair and perfectly manicured nails coated with residue from welding machinery or fixing a tractor, and soles covered in dirt from hiking, fishing, and hunting barefoot — that was Amanda. She was feminine, wild, and fierce, with a heart tender enough to rescue a fawn in need, or a skunk for that matter, and hands gentle enough to pick wildflower bouquets for her mother and her grandmother. She was a breath of fresh air in a stale world, making time with her unforgettable.

Andy Collins

Andrew Mark Collins

Thoughtful, hardworking, tough, charismatic, funny Andy had a big personality and an even bigger laugh. He loved a good joke and was always quick to make the people around him smile. Being around Andy meant you were likely to hear a funny story about his most recent fishing trip or see that big grin of his that could light up a room.

Maylee Covington

Maylee Covington

The most beautiful person: lost Stunningly beautiful inside and out, Maylee was a bright, charming, and generous woman. Born in India, Maylee was 4’9” and 90 pounds of pure charisma that drew people to her. In elementary school, teachers called her “the little mother” because she instinctively comforted others. A teacher once told her that if there was a reward for social life, she would be a high honor student!

Andy Donovan

Andy Donovan

Intelligent, passionate, funny, curious, athletic, musical Andy navigated the world with a keen mind and a wonderful spirit. Always hungry for knowledge, he would pursue his favorite topics with unrivaled passion. He was athletic, a talented musician, and a voracious reader who loved to travel. Most of all, though, he was a loving son and brother.

Melissa Gaboury

Melissa Gaboury

Brilliant, loving ray of sunshine Melissa, unique and free-spirited, with undeniable charisma and a huge heart, cast the world around her in captivating light. Music inspired her, athletics challenged her, and faith steadied her. Melissa could usually be found either with family and friends, at Church of the Rock, writing poetry and song lyrics, playing the keyboard and piano, or getting her hands dirty. A firecracker to her core, she was never the type to go with the flow, and she delighted in spreading smiles far and wide. Her six cats and her dog, Onyx, were beloved companions, as were her friends Melinda and Crystal, parents Steven and Crystal, brother Issiah, sister Meghan, a huge extended family, and her favorite pastors, Pete and Joann Fiske.

Ashley Hawthorne

Ashley Hawthorne

Loyal, loving, energetic, giving, beautiful, fierce, courageous, strong Ashley had a playful spirit. As a child, she often borrowed — or “stole” —her brother, Justin’s belongings for school photos, once getting caught by appearing in a picture wearing his missing bracelet, watch, and cross necklace all at once.

Peter Martin Krag

Peter Martin Krag

Loving, giving, creative, persistent, and gentle Peter Martin Krag lived in Shelburne, Vermont, where music, people, and the outdoors formed his days. He was of Filipino and Danish heritage and known for being gentle with others, often placing their needs before his own.

Justin Bradley Lemay

Justin Bradley Lemay

The strongest person I knew Justin’s struggles started early; his mental health began to spiral at just eight years old. He was diagnosed early in his teen years with bipolar disorder. While his mental health was an enduring challenge, it also gave Justin a unique ability to connect with and support others through their own struggles. In fifth grade, one of his classmates locked himself in the bathroom and refused to come out. It was Justin, and only Justin, who could soothe the anxious child and eventually persuade him to unlock the door.

Shawn T. McDonald

Shawn T. McDonald

He was the greatest son one could imagine In the summer of 2023, when catastrophic floods swept through Vermont and left the city of Barre submerged and shaken, Shawn McDonald became a familiar sight moving from one waterlogged basement to the next. With his generator and water pump in tow, he worked tirelessly to clear homes and businesses of floodwater. He never asked for payment. He simply showed up because that's who he was. For Shawn, service was not an act of heroism–it was purely instinct.

Joseph M Mikenas

Joseph M Mikenas

Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt Joey was a selfless, kind soul who, despite times of depression, wanted to see life as beautiful. He was loyal, loving, and charismatic—always the first to help a friend or family member in need. If he had five dollars, he would give you four. His mother, Agnes, shared, “He once pitched an entire game with no hits. His nickname was Smokin’ Joe. He had a fastball no one could touch.” Though she didn’t recognize the signs of addiction at the time, she loved him through all the tough times he experienced.

Mayah Murchison

Mayah Murchison

Sensitive, loving, wild, brilliant, powerful One label could never capture Mayah. She was an adventurer, an explorer, an artist, a singer, and a devoted friend. She embraced the lost and was a ray of sunshine for the hopeless.

Carleton “Choch” Murphy III

Carleton “Choch” Murphy III

Loving, talented, protector, faithful, kind Choch was funny. He was a protector. He had a strong faith and a big heart, and the people who loved him describe him as a big teddy bear. He was talented in art and drawing and could do impressions of others that made everyone laugh. He liked rapping, fishing, being outside, cooking good food, and spending time with family. One of his greatest joys was being with his dog, Capone.

Ethan Parker

Ethan Parker

Empathetic, fun, generous, helpful, loved A natural-born leader, Ethan was the type of person who took his role in people’s lives seriously. He was inquisitive and cared a lot about gaining a deeper understanding of his loved ones. He always worked to ensure everyone felt seen by him and felt good about their time together. His unique sense of humor could make anyone laugh. Being smart, valuing communication and connection, and being personable were some of his greatest strengths. Ethan and his childhood best friend, Caleb, remained close for his entire life. The two of them were thick as thieves, and in their free time they enjoyed gaming as well as working on small engine machines like mopeds and lawn mowers to see how fast they could make them go.

Kristina M. Perrin

Kristina M. Perrin

Beautiful, caring, fun-loving spirit “She was a soul on fire, streaking through the universe like an asteroid bound for great things. She was a healer, drawing wisdom from her scars, she was a spiritual beacon who taught me how to love and accept my higher power. She was passion itself. She loved and she loved hard.” This excerpt, from one of Kristina Perrin’s best friends, is just one testament, amidst countless others, that tells of Kristina’s profound impact on those around her.

John Thomas Randall

John Thomas Randall

“Live well and do good” John, a musical, outdoorsy wanderlust, loved life and could find the good in anyone. Vivacious and intelligent, he loved problem-solving and sharing his knowledge. With teachers for parents, John spent many summer vacations all over the world. He had many passions in life, including skiing, science, computers, technology, and travel. Kind and caring, John was one-of-a-kind, a phenomenal listener, and a helper to his core. Dance, music, and socializing filled John’s days with joy, and his calm presence and loyal nature helped him form lifelong bonds, like with his neighbor Thomas and his younger brother Will.

Grace Katherine Riley

Grace Katherine Riley

Grace and grit in equal parts When Gracie was just fifteen years old, she helped deliver her baby brother, Asa. She had planned to stand by her mom’s side, hold her hand, and keep her gaze steadily focused on anything but the ensuing action. But when the doctor stepped out of the room, Gracie stepped forward. She was an essential part of bringing Asa into the world and even cut the umbilical cord herself. From that moment on, Asa was just as much hers as anyone’s. The two were inseparable. He called her his “big, big.”

Professor William Ruff

Professor William Ruff

Compassionate, brilliant source of inspiration Beloved father, professor, photographer, counselor, botanist, astronomer, songwriter, comedian, musician, mentor, and motorcyclist, Bill Ruff lived a dynamic and impactful life. Donning the moniker “Your Highness” in his peer counseling circle, Bill’s grace, intelligence, compassion, and humility demonstrated his deep dedication to supporting others. Rooted in the earth as well as the heavens, his two daughters, Emily and Kelsie, enjoyed digging in the dirt with their father just as much as stargazing. They were his favorite photography subjects.

Jenna Rae Tatro

Jenna Rae Tatro

Charismatic, inventive, loving, heartfelt, compassionate Always smiling, Jenna had a gift for making people feel truly seen, valued, and loved—each person as though they were her best friend. She also had a soft spot for both animals and people in need, providing nurturance and encouragement to help them move forward. Drawn to adventure and adrenaline, Jenna loved the outdoors—skiing, showing horses, riding snowmobiles, and driving fast cars. A gifted writer, artist, and photographer, Jenna communicated her thoughts and feelings eloquently through a variety of creative outlets.

John R. Thorpe

John R. Thorpe

Compassion, loyalty, struggle, love, strength John warmed every room with his charm and kindness and had a natural gift for connection. It didn’t matter the context, a party or the gas station, John was sure to walk away with a friend. That was just how quickly and naturally he made others feel seen. Then, once he cared for someone, his loyalty ran deep.

Sasha Torrens-Sperry

Sasha Torrens-Sperry

Talented, hilarious, compassionate, brave, loving Beautiful, kind, and gifted, Sasha possessed a heart naturally attuned to life’s rhythm. She was talented beyond her years and possessed a musician’s ear; her aptitude was clear from a young age. She had sophisticated taste, refined from hours spent listening to global genres, honing her voice, and practicing piano, trumpet, guitar, and sitar. With a striking mane of long, curly hair, a dark sense of humor, and subtle elegance, she left a lasting impression.

DJ Walters

DJ Walters

Gentleman, witty, loyal, mischievous, devoted DJ Walters was known for the way he carried himself—he believed in chivalry, being a gentleman, and in small gestures that mattered. He was also known for his charm, his signature grin, and his one-hundred-watt smile. When meeting a girlfriend’s mother or grandmother, he would show up with flowers and a pressed button-down shirt. It was simply who he was.

Alexa L. Williams

Alexa L. Williams

Kind, caring, loving, funny, and smart One thing was always clear about Alexa Williams: she was brilliant. In high school, teachers would consult Alexa to double-check that their computation was correct. As a child, instead of doodles, the pages of her notebooks and the margins of her books were cluttered with complex arithmetic. Friends and family brought her computers and laptops to fix, which she did, eagerly, and in a flash. After graduating from Mount Mansfield Union High School, she earned her degree in math and psychology at East Tennessee State University. That was also where she met her loving husband, James.