Today, Feb 2, is the birthday of Jayce Carmelo Luevanos. He should be 12 but died at Uvalde in May 2022. Taken from his parents, 3 brothers, 1 sister, & grandparents, Jayce was a thoughtful boy. He ❤️ to brew the ☕️ every morning for his grandparents & leave sweet notes for them. His dog, Fifi, waited for him to get home every afternoon. Since their house was just a few blocks from Robb Elementary, he often brought friends over to play, packing the yard with kids roughhousing on the lawn.

Yesterday, June 10, was also the birthday of Joshua Higbee. A loving dad & family man, he was known for doting on his young son. Taken from a 4-year-old son & fiancée who he treated like a Queen, Josh worked long hours as a welder at the Excel Industries plant. When he wasn’t working or spending time w/family, Josh enjoyed fishing. Adopted at 6 after a difficult early childhood, Josh grew up to become a loving, caring & hardworking man. Known for putting his handyman skills to work throughout the community, Josh was labeled Mr. Fix-It.

Another late post for June 10th…
Yesterday was the birthday of Lauren Rousseau. She would be 41 but died in 2012, mere weeks after she was hired full time at Sandy Hook to her dream job. She graduated from college 5 years earlier when teaching jobs were in decline in her area. Lauren substituted at various schools and worked second and third jobs, including a regular stint at the local Starbucks, until she was able to get her foot in the door. After years of struggling, she had finally made it, only to have her life senselessly taken.

Saturday June 10th, my daughter got married. My posts are late because I never managed to post the last 4 of 5 bios during the chaos of the day. This fun celebration also reminds me of the hundreds of parents who are robbed of these milestone events by preventable gun violence. Today, June 10, is the birthday of Catherine Violet Hubbard. She should be 17 but died in 2012 at Sandy Hook. When the 20-year-old shooter fired dozens and dozens of shots into her classroom with a military style assault rifle,

Today, June 10, is the birthday of Katherine A. Goldstein. She would be 65 but died in the 2022 Highland Park July 4th parade attack. A devoted wife, mother & friend, Katie was gracious, giving, & kind. She was taken from her husband Craig and their daughters. Katherine’s family penned this tribute:
Above all else, Katherine “Katie” Goldstein put family 1st. She was the best mom in the 🌎. She was kind & giving person to everyone who crossed her path. She never said a bad word about anyone.

Today, June 9, is the birthday of Richard Smith. He would be 63 but died in the 2016 Kalamazoo attack as he & his son looked at 🚘 after hours on a local lot. Richard ❤️ anything w/a throttle & shared that w/ his son. He was a 🪨 for family, immediate& extended. Known as JR to friends, Richard worked as a journeyman pipefitter for >30 years. In recent years, he was a construction manager for a local firm. Richard grew up riding 🏍️ , ATVs & dune buggies in the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. He enjoyed downhill ⛷️ , snowmobiling, & jet skiing.

Today, June 9, is the birthday of Kirsten Elizabeth Hinckley. She would be 32 but died at 15 in the 2007 Salt Lake City attack. A sophomore in high school, Kirsten was passionate, trustworthy, talented, had a zest for life, and above all, was loving. Kirsten could be shy, but could also make others laugh, and could always brighten a situation with her positivity. She believed in “chocolate therapy” as a cure for any situation.

Today, June 3, is the birthday of Jason Christopher Balatico. He would be 57 but died in the 1999 Xerox shooting at 33. A loving dad & hubs, Jason was taken from his wife, a daughter & son. Jason loved life, was a jokester, & particularly enjoyed playing pranks on co-workers. Customers called him “a great guy…always willing to go above and beyond what the job required,” and specifically remember him making an afterhours service call with his family in tow to get the job done more quickly and even delivering food to workers on the midnight shift.

Today, June 3, is the birthday of Monica Brickhouse. She would be 43 but died in the 2019 Dayton shooting at 39. Monica was taken from her husband, a 6-year-old son and 2 step-children, parents and a host of extended family and friends. A devoted mom, beautiful wife, and loving daughter, she is remembered for her kindness and positivity. Co-workers and friends praised her easygoing spirit, good advice, and helpful nature.

Today, June 3, is the birthday of Geraldine “Gerri” Talley. She would be 64 but died last year in the Tops Buffalo attack weeks before her 63rd birthday. Gerri loved baking, sitting by the water, watching game shows, and spending time with family. She had a beautiful spirit, a dimpled smile, & an immense love for family & friends. She was taken from her 3 children & a host of friends & ext family. Co-workers & friends remembered a lovely lady who was caring, loving, & always had something good to say about everyone.

Today, June 2, is also the birthday of Hadiya Pendleton. She would be 26 but died in the 2013 Harsh Park Chicago shooting, less than a mile from President Obama’s Chicago residence and just one week after performing in his inaugural events. Hadiya was a good student who loved books, enjoyed taking silly selfies with friends, played volleyball, and performed with her high school band. Hadiya was the only fatality in a mistaken identity gang-related shooting which injured 2 others.

Today, June 2, is the birthday of Kristopher Jordan Minners. He would be 23 but died 3 days after his 22nd birthday on South Street in Philadelphia. A skilled basketball and chess player, Kris was a light and a magnet, but he was humble. He was soft spoken, but confident. In addition to his 22nd birthday, Kris had a lot to celebrate -- he had his dream “difference maker” job and an apartment he loved Kris attended Girard College, a residential K-12 school for disadvantaged youth, through 8th grade, until his family moved away.

Today, June 2, is the birthday of Hannah Lassette Ahlers. She would be 40 but died in the 2017 Las Vegas attack. Hannah was taken from her high school sweetheart & husband of 17 years and their 3 children ages 14, 11 and 3. Beautiful inside & out w/ a 😀 that could 💡up a room, she was a loving mom, wife, & friend to all. Friends recalled the impact she had on everyone she met w/her compassion, acceptance, grace, & love. She 🥰 being a stay-at-home mom & being there for every event for her children.

Today, June 2, is the birthday of Satwant Singh Kaleka. He would be 76 but died at the Oak Creek Sikh temple attack in 2012. As the temple president, Satwant confronted the attacker in the lobby and died doing his best to protect temple members and his family. Satwant’s son recalled his father’s pride – a proud Sikh, a proud American who flew 🇺🇸 every day, & a proud patriarch. Following his father’s legacy, his son works w/ Serve 2 Unite to teach the imp of social peace & co-authored a book w/ former white supremacist Arno Michaels.

Today, June 2, is the birthday of Emily Jane Hilscher. She should be 35 but was killed at 18 in the Virginia Tech attack by her 23-y-o campus neighbor, a poster boy for 🚩 laws. Friends described constant 😀, impressive work ethic, ❤️ for animals, & formidable riding skills. With vet career goals, Emily spent summers w/a local vet. The owner, who encountered many young people who❤️ animals but couldn’t handle the work, described what made Emily different: “to [care for sick & injured creatures] w/happiness & positivity makes her very special.”

The final birthday for June 1 is Christopher “Drew” Leinonen. He would be 39 but died in 2016 at Pulse Orlando. Recognized w/the Anne Frank Award at 17 for defense of LGBT students & est the 1st Gay Straight Alliance, Drew was caring, considerate, & focused on unity & inclusion. After obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in clinical psychology at UCF, Drew found his niche as a mental health counselor in the Orlando Hospital ER. His mom called him “the epitome of the social butterfly” who loved to meet new people and enjoyed helping others.

Today, June 1, is the birthday of Dr. Maria Ragland Davis. She should be 63 but died in a 2010 campus shooting. Maria was a rising ⭐️ in her dept at Univ of AL Huntsville. She was known for her positive attitude, punctuality, preparedness, & big ideas. A colleague described her as a perfect role model for young students, particularly females, noting her ever-present grace and dignity. With a doctorate in biochemistry and plant biology, Maria flourished as a research biologist and educator.

Today, June 1, is the birthday of Alexander Charles Teves. He would be 35 but died at 24 in the Aurora attack. Alex was known for his incredible sense of humor, contagious 😀, big ❤️for life. He enjoyed Univ of Arizona sports, diverse foods, craft 🍻, playing the 🎸, & workouts. Alex had recently graduated with a master’s degree in psychology, and he was working on his physical therapy certification. He was devoted to helping others -- providing crisis counseling for students and their families and mentoring troubled youth.