Memorial Wall

In Honor of Andrew Steven Zorn (Andy) by Sally Schindel
10/15/1982 – 3/1/2014
Andy was a fun guy full of dreams and plans. At age 9, he announced plans to serve in the military to earn a college degree, which he did. Andy was first a paratrooper with Army’s 82nd Airborne, and then he earned an AA degree. He planned to be a millionaire by age 40 and started his IRA retirement savings at age 16. Sadly, severe Cannabis Use Disorder derailed him and robbed him of all he had accomplished.

In Honor of Matthew Gordon Pontefract by Wendy Pontefract
11/29/1999 – 3/31/2020
My beautiful, sweet, sensitive boy loved everyone and wanted to be loved and accepted by everyone. Matthew was bright (he was especially good in math) and creative. He loved animals and spending time with friends. He grew into a beautiful, fit young man, who was the starting center on the football team and a participant in drama productions. We love him still and miss him terribly. Rest in peace my sweet young man.

In Honor of Chris Cowan by David J. Cowan
4/23/1971 – 1/21/2000
Chris was an outstanding high school student, co-captain of the wrestling team, and president of the student council. As a senior, he received the American History prize; the best peace essay; a national scholastic writing award; the best math student award; AP Calculus award for the highest score; and the Student Leadership award. He enrolled at Stanford at the age of 17. To be one of the boys, he started smoking marijuana, which led to paranoid schizophrenia and resulted in suicide.

In Honor of Ryan Gardiner Dow by Ray Dow
11/17/2001 – 08/07/2018
Ryan was a fun, smart, creative person. He was a loving son, brother, and friend. He loved animals, especially his cats and his pet bird, Cheech. Ryan enjoyed playing the guitar, skiing, and spending time with his friends. Ryan toured University of Denver just days before he died and planned to attend there. He wanted to work in the music industry. We don’t know why Ryan decided to take his own life. He is loved and missed by many.

In Honor of Joel Jonathan Belmer by Kathy Cooperman
9/28/1977 – 2/20/2015
Joel will always be remembered as a happy, funny, creative, and charismatic young man. I still call him my teddy bear. He loved Colorado and the mountains. He loved the company that he created, “O Dog Adventures.” He was happily married and loved his entire family. He enjoyed helping others and volunteered as a wrestling coach for the Special Olympics for years. Joel truly made the world a better place, and I’m so proud to be his mom.

In Honor of Aaron Anil Reddy by Raj and Anita Reddy
7/25/2000 – 3/27/2019
Aaron was a gentle, kind hearted, fun and loving soul. He loved his family, pets, playing video games, going out to restaurants and watching movies. He also had a brilliant mind as a conservative young business man.  He graduated from a blue-ribbon magnet high school where he was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. He was an accounting major in college and wanted to become a certified public accountant.  

In Honor of Kevin Bright by Bart and Hazel Bright
2/10/1989 – 8/14/2018
Kevin was an intelligent and sensitive child. He was loved and lovable. Kevin was also witty and displayed a great sense of humor. He enjoyed playing the piano for many years. As a teenager Kevin struggled with depression and anxiety. He worked hard to overcome his challenges and self medicated, at times, with high THC marijuana. The last six years of his life Kevin increased his marijuana use and eventually took his life at 29 years old. We love and miss him everyday.

In Honor of Garrett Reilly Craig by Jay Craig
3/2/2000 – 1/12/2019
Garrett was a brilliant young man with endless opportunity before him. His path ended in his suicide at 18 years old after a descent into high-potency marijuana use. Garrett had many interests and many friends. Garrett and I met for lunch a few days before he died. After lunch, we hugged, and I said, “I love you.” In his usual quiet mumble, Garrett replied, “Luv ya.” Thank you, God, for that moment. 

In Honor of Ben Shealy by Ray and Suzanne Shealy
4/5/1999 – 5/19/2020
Growing up Ben was full of energy, had a great sense of humor, loved basketball, gaming on his computer, cars and technology. His sister, brother and friends would always count on Ben to entertain and make things amusing. However, when Ben started to self-medicate his problems during his early years of high school, things started to spiral down quickly. As we later discovered, this led to weekly, sometimes daily, weed use for the next 3-4 years. Then he started smoking and dabbing high concentration THC weed. Ben was running across the lanes on Interstate 5 in Laguna Hills and was killed by a semi truck.

In Honor of Brian Patnode by Patricia Patnode
3/8/2002 to 7/16/2019
Brian was 17 going into his senior year when he passed from suicide. He was very smart, got high grades, and received awards for his academic efforts. He had a wonderful voice and was very involved in choir, as well as many school plays and musicals. He played football for the first time his junior year and was the only male in his class to be in the National Honors Society. No one would have guessed he was depressed, as he had many friends. Sadly he started self-medicating with marijuana, which led him down a bad path. He is missed by all.

In Honor of Brent Anthony Bernhardt by Heather Curzon
1/28/1996 – 7/15/2021
Brent was a quiet young man with a very kind heart and soul. He loved his family, animals & nature and especially his dogs. He enjoyed many outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, and boating. He was also an avid gamer and enjoyed laser tag and paintball. Brent struggled with depression for years, which led him at an early age to experiment and self-medicate with marijuana. In the last two years of his marijuana use, he began to exhibit signs consistent with drug-induced psychosis (confirmed by diagnosis), which ultimately led to Brent’s suicide at the age of 25. We all miss him so much and always will.

In Honor of Henry Gordon MacDougall by Gordon MacDougall
3/2/2001 – 10/7/2017
Henry was the kind of kid that connected with everyone. It didn’t matter what group or clique they belonged to, Henry found a way to relate through his sense of humor and bright smile. He died in an automobile accident at age 16 after being given highly concentrated marijuana dabs at a friend’s house. So many were truly devastated by his death, because he truly meant something to so many different people.

In Honor of Trevor London Leopold by Michelle Saevke Leopold
1/30/2001 – 11/17/2019
Trevor London Leopold was a loving human being with a huge heart, which he willingly shared with so many others. From an early age, Trevor loved animals. As an elementary student, he was an avid rockhound, nature detective, and even a certified Audubon Junior Birdwatcher. He was an Indian Guide, Cub Scout and Boy Scout, played little league and a lifelong avid skier, snowboarder, and skateboarder. All of the wonderful blessings that he had, talent, friendships, positive outlook on life, and most importantly, family, were sidelined by his decision to take a drug, most likely laced with fentanyl, after battling cannabis use disorder for several years.

In Honor of Neal Jansen Honka by Tom and Nancy Honka
4/21/1996 – 9/26/2016
Neal started smoking pot when he was 15, and his friends later told us it was daily. He got a medical marijuana card to buy it legally and get high concentration THC products. Neal became psychotic and tried to stop using marijuana, but he never quit. He told us at the end that he was an addict and felt like he was going crazy. He hung himself 3 days later in our backyard, and I, his mother, am the one who found him. We didn’t realize what had happened until we heard Laura’s story of her son, Johnny.

In Honor of Tyler J Southard by Sharon Southard
2/25/1994 – 7/28/2018

Tyler loved skateboarding, drawing, painting, and was a talented musician. After graduating, he worked for a computer company, but his dream was to write songs, and be a full time musician. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t achieve his dreams because his marijuana addiction turned into psychosis, and early stages of schizophrenia. Tyler died by suicide, at 24. He hated his marijuana addiction, and was trying hard to beat it on his own.

In Honor of Jacob Brian Gorman by Sherri Gorman
6/10/2001 – 11/2/2021

Jacob was a quiet soul and Eagle Scout who loved camping, hiking, video games, and his friends.  He graduated high school with honors and served 7 months in the Navy.  Once out, he took great pride in buying his own condo at the age of 19.  The choice to medicate with marijuana ultimately led to delusions/paranoia and contributed to his suicide at the age of 20.  He is loved and missed every day.

In Honor of Joshua Jimenez by Sonia Jimenez
6/27/1999 – 12/23/2021

Joshua was gifted in too many ways to count; academically, mathematically, artistically, but his greatest gift was his sweet and loving heart. He was truly a beautiful light in the world, and he will be missed forever. His life had value and meaning and great impact to those who loved him. And although his absence will be felt deeply, we know that he is at peace.

In Honor of Randy Michael Bacchus III by Heather and Randy Bacchus
11/9/1999 – 7/17/2021

Randy Michael was bright, creative, humorous, fun-loving, kind-hearted, and generous. He enjoyed skiing, exercising, friends, and music. He wanted to attend the University of Boulder, scuba dive, have his own business, children, and a wife. Fiercely independent, Randy moved to CO at 18. He finished one year of community college, supported himself, created and developed two companies. We wish we could have seen all that he was capable of. Unfortunately, he was addicted to marijuana, developed CIP, and took his own life. RIP Randy. We love you.

In Honor of Katee Gene Ferguson by Nelson and Amanda Bohrer
12/20/1997 – 5/28/2020

Katee spent the majority of her life in Deer Lodge, Montana. She married Colton Ferguson in July 2018, and they had two sons, James Ferguson, 3, and Sebastian Ferguson, 1. Katee was an authentic friend to everyone. She had a magnetic personality that lit up any room. Her contagious smile was warm and inviting. She was very caring and giving. Katee had many talents and passions, including crocheting, painting, quilting, and scrapbooking. She is dearly missed by many.

In Honor of Zachary Muth by Kim and Donald Beckman
3/11/1997 – 1/31/2021

Zachary was a sweet, active, and outgoing person. He grew up in a Christian family and graduated from Valor Christian High School. He played competitive ice hockey over 10 years. He survived childhood leukemia as a child and always had anxiety, and then it progressed to depression. Zach went to college at University of Colorado in Boulder, and then everything changed when he started using marijuana, which he said helped his anxiety. This gateway drug lead to alcohol, cocaine, and then fentanyl while dabbing all day before overdosing.

In Honor of Nicolas James Glassman (Nick) by Steve and Carolyn Glassman
3/29/2001 – 1/20/2022

Nick was passionate about sports, having played both football and baseball through middle school. An avid Yankee and Giants fan, he was a regular attendee at Yankee and Met Life Stadiums with friends and family alike. In the Winter, Nick could be found snowboarding in Utah or Vermont and in the Summer, golfing at Navesink Country Club or boating on Lake George and in Long Beach Island. A devoted friend, brother, and cousin; those who knew Nick knew of his generous personality, his bright outlook on life and his desire to help each person he met. His most cherished times were spent with his family and friends. Sadly, Nick started using marijuana and took his own life.

In Honor of Kaeden Allan Kieran Steiner by Julie Steiner
2/8/2006 – 11/01/2021

My boy was the sweetest, funniest, big -hearted guy with beautiful hair, soulful hazel-brown eyes, and the best smile and laugh ever! He was light and sunshine for anyone he met. He loved jumping (how ironic), flipping,  skateboarding,  playing guitar, and being with his friends and family.  All about fun and making people feel good. We were so very lucky to have him with us as long as we did!

In Honor of Taylor Rose Moore by Dianne Moore
9/23/2001 – 10/31/2021

Taylor was 20 years old and bi-polar. She was living away from home and attending school in Santa Cruz. She lived with her girlfriend and the relationship became unhealthy and toxic. Taylor smoked pot. Every day. All. The. Time. She was most likely off of her bipolar meds. She ended her life after a fight with her girlfriend. She hung herself from a tree with a belt. She called Telecare (a mental facility in Santa Cruz) the night she took her life, and they told her “she didn’t meet the criteria.”

In Honor of Sebastian “Sebas” Paz by Luis and Laura Paz
02/27/1999 – 10/28/2021

Sebastian “Sebas” was a wonderful young man with a kind soul, a big heart, and contagious smile. He had a love for food and cooking and graduated from culinary school. Sebas struggled with substance use disorder for seven years. He started smoking pot in high school, just to fit in and make friends. For Sebas, marijuana became a gateway drug. At the time he passed away, Sebas was committed to his recovery and was clean for seven months. Unfortunately one slip with a fentanyl pill took him at age 22. We love him and miss him every day.

In Honor of Dillan Hardt by Francine Zimmermann
12/30/1997 – 1/5/2019

Dillan started smoking pot as a young teen. He was hospitalized senior year of high school after experiencing delusions. This drug-induced psychosis was the beginning of a rapid decline in Dillan’s mental health. Dillan believed marijuana helped with anxiety, but his doctors believed it worsened his mental health and contributed to other challenges, which culminated in his death by suicide. Dillan loved his mom and little brother most of all. He is missed every day.

In Honor of Jacob Leif Nielsen by Rebecca Nielsen
3/6/2007 – 8/3/2023

Jacob was a joyful, funny, intelligent, adventurous young man surrounded by a large family, and lifelong friends. He was an expert skier, kite boarder, Lacrosse player. He had compassion and empathy beyond his years and was always available for his friends and cousins. He was introduced to Marijuana his freshman year of high school, then dabbing, and spiraled into depression and anxiety. His mother, friends and girlfriend tried to help him stop, but he succumbed to suicide while under the influence.

In Honor of Brendan Garrett Murphy by Molly & Thomas Murphy
8/4/2004 – 10/22/2023

Brendan was a deep thinking and loving young man. He was a gift to those that knew him. Brendan was talented at sports, and deeply loved animals, especially those that were vulnerable. Brendan was given weed by an older man when he was 14 and became addicted and ruined his life. He had CIP and died unexpectedly from an overdose laced with Fentanyl. Brendan is dearly missed by his family and friends.

In Honor of Sam Yeager by Whitney Yeager
7/3/1997 – 4/3/2021

Sam was highly empathic and loved working with children as a camp counselor. In his last year of life, he planted over 1,000 trees to replace the ones that burned in the forest fires. He valued time with family and was especially happy hanging out with his two younger sisters. He was one semester from graduating with a degree in political science from the University of Colorado. When he joined his fraternity during his second year in college, he became addicted to high-potency THC. He tried several times quitting, once resulting in an in-patient hospitalization, but the delusions and paranoia took over. He was shot and killed by Douglas County Police during a cannabis-induced, psychotic episode.

In Honor of Catherine Mayberry (Cat) by Trent and Jane Mayberry
6/17/1998 – 10/8/2022

Catherine Mayberry was a shining light in this world. In Catherine’s all too short time with us, she experienced much. She enjoyed numerous friendships, played softball, played piano, was a member of Minnetonka ski club, founded a badminton club at MHS, maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, played varsity tennis at MHS, all while working two jobs including being a lifeguard at area beaches. She loved her family, friends, animals, the outdoors, cards/games, traveling, and would have spent every waking moment playing in the ocean if she could have. From the St. Croix River in MN/WI to Hamoa Beach on Maui, Catherine LOVED swimming. Tragically, an addiction to marijuana led to the destruction of Catherine’s mind as she experienced permanent cannabis-induced psychosis/schizophrenia and later died of an accidental overdose of methamphetamines laced with fentanyl. Catherine’s passing has taught us that light shines through darkness. Cat’s Companions was founded in memory of Catherine Mayberry. We love you and miss you dearly Catherine.

In Honor of Steven Vincent Phillips by Hailey Rush and Christina Sanders
9/14/1997 – 4/8/2023

Steven was a kind and sensitive soul. He had wisdom beyond his years and was a deep thinker. He was a talented musician and wrote his own music. Though he had many gifts, Steven was very humble. He was loyal to his family and friends, honest, and full of love.

In Honor of Tessa Kathryn Betori by Isabella
1/8/2001 – 4/8/2020

Tessa Kathryn “Tessie Bear” Betori grew up with me in Lake Travis since we were born. She was the greatest friend anyone ever could have!! She always made us feel loved and cared for. She was super kind, had the brightest smile, was the master at jumping into splits, and enjoyed being apart of our high school’s theatre club. Before she moved to Ohio, we studied abroad with other friends and classmates during the summer in Paris during our senior year. That was the last time I ever saw Tessa, but we had a really good time. It’s been 4 years since she left us. We’re at peace though because we know she’s in a better place with her older brother, Ryan who passed in 2015.

In Honor of Jack Gates by Barbara Gates
11/30/1996 – 1/18/2023

Jack was one semester away from graduating college with honors, but when he was home for summer break before his senior year, he was smoking marijuana every day. He also expressed feelings of extreme anxiety. I was completely unaware of high THC marijuana or its extreme danger for psychosis. That following fall semester he spiraled and his life fell apart. He was addicted and his psychosis had him believing that marijuana was his medicine – from God. His diagnosis went from marijuana induced psychosis in 2018 to schizophrenia in 2021. With current policy and laws, plus an overburdened mental health system, our Jack could not get the level of care he needed. He was homeless and in and out of jail for 3 years. May he finally rest in peace.