Stacey Lingenfelt (left) and Aleisha Albertson work on tombstone memorials for loved ones who died of drug overdoses. Lingenfelt’s son, Cody, died of an overdose at age 19. Albertson created a piece to honor her friend, Whitney. Mirror photo by Cati Keith
Memorial tombstones created by area residents who have lost loved ones to substance abuse will be part of the National Trail of Truth in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24.
The live performance art event in D.C. will honor those who died of substance use-related causes and raise awareness of drug-related fatalities. The tombstones will serve as part memorial, part public art installation.
Families United for Change and ArtsAltoona Blank Canvas teamed up Tuesday with area families to create local tombstones.
Marianne Sinisi of Families United for Change created a tombstone for her son, Shawn, who died of an overdose in 2018.
“It’s pretty sad to be doing this,” she said, noting that there were some local residents who decided against making a memorial because it was too emotionally difficult.
Because everyone involved had lost a family member or friend to addiction, there was a shared camaraderie.
“It was nice to get together with people who understand, but it is still another sad reminder of what we lost,” Sinisi said
Aleisha Albertson, assistant director of Blair Drug and Alcohol Programs, made a tombstone in memory of her friend, Whitney, who was like a sister.
Bringing awareness to addiction is important, she said.
About 80 groups around the country are taking part in the tombstone project, and local coordinators hope that the tombstones, when erected as part of the art installation, will provide a powerful impact on others.
The cardboard tombstone silhouettes feature photos and decorations special to each family.
Albertson placed a picture of Whitney on her piece accompanied by a sun, moon and stars.
“After she passed, I named a star after her because her smile was so bright,” she said.
While the event was somber, Albertson said everyone was very supportive and it was nice to be in a room full of people who understood what each is feeling.
She said completing the project brought up feelings of loss, but being able to honor Whitney meant a lot.
“Being able to do one more thing to memorialize her is another way for me to recognize that she is still a part of my life even though I can’t see her everyday now,” Albertson said.
About a dozen people took part in the project, said Sherry Dilling, program manager for ArtsAltoona.
“It is a really powerful project, but it is therapeutic for the ones creating the tombstones,” she said.
The completed tombstones will be sent to New York where they will then be taken to Union Square in Washington.
On Sept. 24, the Blair County group’s tombstones will join the over 1,000 already collected to be put on display.
When Dilling saw the number of tombstones on display in Washington, it made her realize the number of families still grieving.
“It was eye opening to me in a lot of ways, and I think these tombstones send a really powerful message,” she said.
Sinisi is unable to attend the event this year, but plans to go next year.
“My hope though is there won’t be a reason to attend next year,” she said.
Mirror staff writer Cati Keith can be reached at 814-946-7535.
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