The media covering the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, is filled with reports and pictures of the shooter. I’m not sure if I agree with this. Why should this man become a celebrity for killing people? How can the majority of us know the full name of the shooter, but not even know the last name of one of the victims? I want to remember the victims; the innocent lives that were lost. For those of you who also want to remember them, here is the name, age, and something to remember each of them by.
In remembrance of her, her uncle said, “She was going to go some places in this world. This little girl could light up the room for anyone.”
“Words really cannot express what a special boy Daniel was. Such a light. Always smiling, unfailingly polite, incredibly affectionate, fair and so thoughtful towards others, imaginative in play, both intelligent and articulate in conversation: in all, a constant source of laughter and joy,” his family said.
“I think she taught me more about how to be a good mother to a special needs child than anyone else ever had,” Lovetere Stone said. Days before the shooting, Rachel’s boyfriend had asked her parents permission to marry her.
“She was a great big sister and was always very patient with her 3 year old brother, Brayden,” her family said, recalling that her favorite colors were purple and pink.
Josephine had turned 7 just three days before the shooting. On Monday, purple balloons – her favorite color – sprouted from the family mailbox and those of all her neighbors.
- Dawn Hochsprung, age: 47 (Principal)
Dawn’s pride in Sandy Hook Elementary was clear. She regularly tweeted photos from her time as principal there. Just this week, it was an image of fourth-graders rehearsing for their winter concert; days before that, the tiny hands of kindergartners exchanging play money at their makeshift grocery store.
Dylan had a beaming smile. He played tag every morning at the bus stop with neighbors, bounced on the trampoline and played computer games. He loved purple, chocolate and seeing the moon. He was learning to read and was proud to show off his new skills to his parents. Jake, his older brother, was his best friend and role model.
Madeleine was shy and quiet – but she would light up around dogs. Her neighbor stated, “She was just an absolute doll. She seemed very shy, but she was just so sweet.”
- Catherine Hubbard, age: 6
“We are greatly saddened by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Catherine Violet and our thoughts and prayers are with the other families who have been affected by this tragedy,” Jennifer and Matthew Hubbard said. “We ask that you continue to pray for us and the other families who have experienced loss in this tragedy.”
Chase was always outside, playing in the backyard, riding his bicycle. Just last week, he was visiting neighbor Kevin Grimes, telling him about completing – and winning – his first mini-triathlon.
She was known simply for the game nights she hosted and the holiday decorations she put up at her house. “She was a very nice lady,” one woman said.
Jesse’s family has a collection of animals he enjoyed playing with, and he was learning to ride horseback. “He was always friendly; he always liked to talk.”
- Ana Marquez-Greene, age: 6
A video spreading across the Internet shows a confident Ana hitting every note as she sings “Come, Thou Almighty King.” She flashes a big grin and waves to the camera when she’s done. “As much as she’s needed here and missed by her mother, brother and me, Ana beat us all to paradise,” her father wrote. “I love you sweetie girl.”
James especially loved recess and math, and his family described him as a “numbers guy” who came up with insights beyond his years to explain the relationship between numbers. He particularly loved the concept of googolplex, which a friend taught him. He was best friends with his older sister, and loved to sing.
- Grace Audrey McDonnell, age: 7
Lynn and Chris McDonnell called their 7-year-old daughter “the love and light” of their family in a statement released by the little girl’s uncle. The family also shared a photo featuring Grace smiling into the camera, her eyes shining and a pink bow adorning her long blonde hair.
- Anne Marie Murphy, age: 52
A happy soul; A good mother, wife and daughter; Artistic, fun-loving, witty and hardworking.
Quick to cheer up those in need of a smile, Emilie Parker never missed a chance to draw a picture or make a card.
Her father, Robbie Parker, fought back tears as he described the beautiful, blond, always-smiling girl who loved to try new things, except foods. “I’m so blessed to be her dad.”
Jack was a huge New York Giants fan. Wide receiver Victor Cruz honored Jack on Sunday on his cleats, writing on them the words “Jack Pinto, My Hero” and “R.I.P. Jack Pinto.”
His uncle said Noah loved to read and liked to figure out how things worked mechanically. He was already a very good reader. He loved animals, video games and Nintendo’s Mario Brothers characters. For his birthday two weeks ago, he got a new Wii.
“Silly Caroline” had an infectious grin and a giving heart.
“Caroline Phoebe Previdi was a blessing from God and brought joy to everyone she touched,” her parents, Jeff and Sandy Previdi, said in a statement. “We know that she is looking down on us from Heaven.”
The Rekoses described their daughter as “a creative, beautiful little girl who loved playing with her little brothers, Travis and Shane.
“She spent time writing in her journals, making up stories, and doing ‘research’ on orca whales – one of her passions after seeing the movie ‘Free Willy’ last year.” Her dream of seeing a real orca was realized in October when she went to SeaWorld.”
- Lauren Gabrielle Rousseau, age: 30
Lauren has been called gentle, spirited and active. She had planned to see “The Hobbit” with her boyfriend Friday and had baked cupcakes for a party they were to attend afterward. She was born in Danbury, and attended Danbury High, college at the University of Connecticut and graduate school at the University of Bridgeport. She was a lover of music, dance and theater.
Even as Mary neared retirement, her job at Sandy Hook was one she loved. Those who knew her called her a wonderful neighbor, a beautiful person, a dedicated educator. “Mary felt like she was doing God’s work,” her son-in-law said, “working with the children.”
“She put those children first. That’s all she ever talked about,” said a friend, Andrea Crowell. “She wanted to do her best for them, to teach them something new every day.” Photos of Soto show her always with a wide smile, in pictures of her at her college graduation and in mundane daily life. She looks so young, barely an adult herself. Her goal was simply to be a teacher.
Ben was spirited and energetic. He was taking swim lessons, and at soccer practice, he’d often be running across the field long after it was necessary. A recent accomplishment, his family said, was performing at a piano recital this month – and sitting still long enough to play one piece.
“She was a very shy girl, she was quiet and kept to herself, but she would smile at things. If a kid did something funny, she’d be laughing,”
Resources:
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_22201540/sandy-hook-shooting-victim-allison-wyatt-profile
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/national_world&id=8924414
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/sandy-hook-shooting-victims-names_n_2307354.html
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Merciful Perspective 