A Database of the Dead

Shelly Lundgren was my sister. She is best known for her judgemental view of the world and her negative generalizations of cultural differences between her white privilege existence and those who experience true joy through family and spiritual connection. She spent her entire life working in a print shop to save money she never had the joy of spending, except for when she developed cancer and spent a good portion on many different snake oil salesmen who made her promises of healing. Her favourite attribute was her long blonde hair. She drank a lot of wine and was argumentative and mean. I believe she was nice to other people... maybe. But even then, she would talk about them (Bonnie, Melanie, even her partner Ben) behind their backs. She lied to get sympathy and hurt people with her cutting remarks. Then she became surprised and bitter when she couldn't find people to support her while she fought her battle with cancer. When she died, the song from the Wizard of Oz kept repeating in my head. "The wicked old witch is dead." The same song she sang to my mother when her partner died. I guess someone had to sing it. It was her turn.

he died in a car crash in 1994 when he was 17. he was a lovely beautiful young man with the sharpest tongue and quickest wit who should have lived to share that wit on the internets.

Jessica Lee Hayes was a former Navy Veteran, who earned the rank of Quartermaster. She served aboard the USS Nimitz, USS Sampson and USS John Stennis. After four years of honourable service, she relocated to California and focused on her education as a Dental Hygienist. Services in Tennessee will be under the direction of Harpeth Hills Funeral Home.

Fatima was the most beautiful creature on Gods earth. She would give you the shirt off her back. She was so lovely. She was my daughters friend. Her life was not the about the way she died. She was so much more. Poor Fatima never had a chance.

When I was a boy, and life at home upset me--when my family fought and argued, and a peaceful dinner was far from the realm of possibilities--Bob Saget's portrayal of Danny Tanner on Full House was my escape--the fictional world into which I was teleported, where an atypical family managed to maintain harmony, work through their troubles, and resolutions to conflicts were always a possibility. As I grew older, I learned that Full House was a TV show, and that life ought not be compared to a TV show, but for the moments of comfort it offered me during my after-school youth, and for the portrait of a fantasy father I so needed in my darker days, I am grateful.

Also... I won't quote it here, but his brief cameo in Half Baked will forever make he crack up.

A Raisin in the Sun, A Patch of Blue, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and so, so many other extraordinary films...

Rarely has one actor's career been marked by both extraordinarily emotional evocation AND immense cultural relevance. His characters lingered in me long after his movies ended, and so will he. It is my sincerest wish that the new generations of actors study Mr. Poitier's films and acting techniques, and learn from one of the great masters of cinema. If you haven't seen them, go watch his movies. Meditate upon them. Discuss them. They matter.

Alan was quite brilliant, both academically and technically.
He was also caring, daring, funny and sensitive.
He was my best friend and my family loved him as a son and a brother.
We graduated high school in 1971, we “survived” a year together in the South African army in 1972 and we started university together in 1973. Alan was studying Medicine, a field in which I’ve no doubt that he would have made his mark.
4 of us embarked on a mid year vacation to Mocambique and Swaziland in July 1973.
Alan’s potential ended at midday on July 11, 1973, when our car veered off the road and rolled down an embankment.
Alan was ejected from the car and died instantly.
I sat with Alan’s body for several hours until the undertakers arrived, my sole unsolicited companion being a Swazi man, who had been walking along the road at the time, who spoke not a word of English but who’s innate sense of humanity dictated that he support me in my time of sorrow.
47 years have passed since that awful day and yet the grief still endures.

Helen was the matriarch of the local Riedl family. She lived to be almost 98 years old, and was mentally sharp until close to the last few days. Her passions were baking and gardening, animals, and making beautiful culinary presentations handed down from her Hungarian roots. We are thankful for the good memories of her.

My sister, died in february 2017. She died of lung cancer. She and her husband ran a thrift store for 10+ years in our community, and donated all the proceeds to community charitable causes. Brigitta loved everyone and we loved her!
-her sister O-druh.

He is father of 4 daughters and grandfather to 5 grandchildren. He always have a dream and work very hard to reach his dream even through many struggles for years but we are grateful for his strength and kindness. We will never forget it.

She is passed away Jan 17, 2009 due the illness. She is mother of four children, grandmother to 5 grandchildren. She is most beautiful soul because she loves to help others and have big heart with big smile. She have wonderful sense of humor.

Cynthia died at the age of 16, in 1979. She was a gentle being, who bravely endured a great deal of physical and emotional pain. Never one to complain, she forged ahead, finding joy wherever she could. She had beautiful, thick dark chestnut hair, and brown, soulful eyes. Instead of taking up space in the forefront, she quietly observed the world, and made keen observations. She understood more than most, the unfairness of life, and she accepted her hardships with grace and dignity. Her light didn't shine for long, but she lives on in so many who loved her profoundly.

She wanted to be remembered as a teacher who gave everything to those she taught. She was also a master griever. I could not understand this as a child. But you are still teaching me now, Mum. Minha mãe, meu coração.