Loved & Lost Memorial for Duffy & All The Missing
Donation protected
There are no words to express Ed and Sara's grief over the loss of Duffy, nor their gratitude for all the love and support shown them. Thank you all.
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On Sunday, June 12, we will gather together to remember Duffy, support her family and one another, honor all the missing, taken and murdered ones, and celebrate the memorial bench.❤️
May 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE - Homer Police Department
Anesha Murnane Update
Anesha “Duffy” Murnane age 38 of Homer went missing on October 17th, 2019. The Homer Police Department has actively investigated the case ever since, chasing down hundreds of tips and talking to numerous people.
After a recent tip and subsequent investigations, Kirby Foleni Calderwood, age 32, of Ogden Utah was arrested on May 9th, 2022. Calderwood is charged with Kidnapping, Murder in the 1st degree, Murder in the 2nd degree and Tampering with physical evidence in Duffy’s disappearance.
We would like to thank everyone who cooperated in this investigation. There were dozens of folks that helped out with initial searches. Many others called in with tips and information and stood by ready to assist us. We would also like to thank the FBI and the Ogden Utah Police Department for all of the help they have provided. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Duffy’s family and all who are touched by this horrible event.
This remains an ongoing investigation. We cannot disclose any further information in this case at this time.
If you have any information related to this case, including any relevant information about Mr. Calderwood and/or his interactions with Ms. Murnane, please contact the Homer Police Department at [phone redacted].
***
April, 2022 Update - Thank you to everyone who has made a donation or donations in support of this beautiful and important memorial. Our original estimated timeframe and costs for this project was 4 to 6 months and approximately $40,000. In reality, it has been nearly a year in the making, with actual costs closer to more than double that, $80,000+. We have increased our fundraising goal in the hopes of helping to offset the labor, materials and marketing expenses currently being covered by Duffy's family. If you have already donated, thank you. If you are able to offer more support, thank you! We appreciate everyone's kind and generous support. Major donators contributing $250 or more will be recognized by name on a plaque inside the library. All donations of every amount will be recognized on social and in print media.
***
May 2021 - The Loved & Lost Memorial Bench
The Inspiration - At noon on October 17, 2019, 38-year-old Anesha "Duffy" Murnane went missing in downtown Homer, Alaska. She has not been seen or heard from since, and is presumed abducted and dead. Her mother Sara and stepfather Ed Berg have commissioned Homer artist Brad Hughes to create a bench to memorialize Duffy and to raise awareness of the issue of missing women and children that exists statewide, nationally, and internationally. Once completed, the bench will be reproducible for other communities who want their own bench.
Family Statement - "We, Duffy’s family, have been grieving for our daughter since she disappeared in October 2019, and because her body has not been found, we don’t have a grave and we want to create a memorial. Since she went missing, we have learned just how many women and children are taken every year, especially among the Native populations, and indeed around the world. We are certainly not alone in our plight and our grief, and so we decided to create this memorial for not just our daughter, but for all the others who are suffering as well. We want the bench to serve as a memorial and to raise awareness of this tragedy. This bench will be dedicated to all the lost ones, to all the taken ones, and to all those who loved them, left behind with so many questions.” Sara and Ed Berg
Why Artist Brad Hughes? - “I have known Brad for 40 years and have always admired his artwork. When we first envisioned this bench, we imagined a simple one to remember our daughter, but after a while, our original idea morphed into a more artistic bench. We looked around for ideas, and when we found the Nikki Geragotelis (Fry) bench on the Spit that was created by Brad, we thought it was the most beautiful bench we have ever seen, and we were sold. Soon, our bench evolved in our minds to something way beyond our daughter, and Loved & Lost was born. When we contacted Brad, his enthusiasm for this project was overwhelming and we were all excited by the prospect of not only memorializing Duffy, but recognizing the many other lost loved ones as well. I wanted Brad to create this bench because he is one of the most kind and compassionate people I know, and this shows in his art. I want only love in this bench and Brad is the perfect artist to bring it to life.” Sara Berg
The Vision - Brad and Sara began the design process in early April, wanting the bench to be inclusive, beautiful, and powerful in its message. With a completion goal of September 2021, this bench will be installed and dedicated in a public remembrance ceremony. The bench construction process using hi-tech concrete will provide a mold, from which similar benches can be created for other communities, customized to their specific needs. Any funds remaining in the GoFundMe can be used to assist in this distribution.
Artist Brad Hughes Project Statement – “When we think of a bench, usually we are referring to a conventional wooden seat and set of cast iron end supports that does little more than provide a convenient place to sit and might have an attached dedication to a person, place or event. In this case, our idea has evolved to so much more. It might better be thought of as permanent set of thematic sculptures dedicated to the memory of a beloved lost one, while at the same time, visually moving us to consider a deeply important phenomena that affects us all on many levels. This bench is a stand-alone work of art, which also provides a space to sit in contemplation and sometimes, grief. Sara has guided me, as artist on this project, to a piece that will acknowledge and help understand the complex emotions and experiences that cause so much grief, pain and suffering, as ones we love are taken from us without reason or explanation.
In taking on this challenge, a very complex and technically difficult idea has emerged which we think best expresses this, and we cannot bring ourselves to attempt less. It involves multiple fully delineated figures showing a wide range of emotional reactions that not only appear on both ends of the seating area, but continue to wrap the back side. The Loved & Lost ones yearn to somehow make connection. A flame of hope burns in the long space that separates them. To build the bench, we will start with sculpturing the figures in clay for the two corner pieces. Each sculptured corner will be coated repeatedly with liquid rubber to make a permanent mold. The molds will be filled with a hi-tech concrete called Trinic, which is reinforced with glass fibers and is extremely hard and durable. The molds can be used repeatedly for additional castings. A one-piece steel seat will be bolted onto the two concrete corner pieces. The inside surface of the corners will be flat and will have attached bronze dedication plaques, visible when sitting on the bench. The outer surface of the corners will display the sculptured figures.
This unique project will require a team of talented crafts people of several disciplines to carry out. It will push the limits of what we know and stretch us as we solve the issues this entails. We all look forward to the successful completion and installation of this important piece of art.” Brad Hughes
A Community Collaboration - This bench is a huge undertaking and community collaboration, and is made possible by artist Brad Hughes, with help from Duffy's brother Gregory and many other Homer artists and crafts people. Supporters from around Alaska and the Lower-48 have provided guidance about the ethnic diversity represented in the artwork. Christina Whiting is the project manager, local videographers are documenting the project, and Pastor Lisa Talbott with the Homer United Methodist Church is administering the funds.
***
On Sunday, June 12, we will gather together to remember Duffy, support her family and one another, honor all the missing, taken and murdered ones, and celebrate the memorial bench.❤️
May 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE - Homer Police Department
Anesha Murnane Update
Anesha “Duffy” Murnane age 38 of Homer went missing on October 17th, 2019. The Homer Police Department has actively investigated the case ever since, chasing down hundreds of tips and talking to numerous people.
After a recent tip and subsequent investigations, Kirby Foleni Calderwood, age 32, of Ogden Utah was arrested on May 9th, 2022. Calderwood is charged with Kidnapping, Murder in the 1st degree, Murder in the 2nd degree and Tampering with physical evidence in Duffy’s disappearance.
We would like to thank everyone who cooperated in this investigation. There were dozens of folks that helped out with initial searches. Many others called in with tips and information and stood by ready to assist us. We would also like to thank the FBI and the Ogden Utah Police Department for all of the help they have provided. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Duffy’s family and all who are touched by this horrible event.
This remains an ongoing investigation. We cannot disclose any further information in this case at this time.
If you have any information related to this case, including any relevant information about Mr. Calderwood and/or his interactions with Ms. Murnane, please contact the Homer Police Department at [phone redacted].
***
April, 2022 Update - Thank you to everyone who has made a donation or donations in support of this beautiful and important memorial. Our original estimated timeframe and costs for this project was 4 to 6 months and approximately $40,000. In reality, it has been nearly a year in the making, with actual costs closer to more than double that, $80,000+. We have increased our fundraising goal in the hopes of helping to offset the labor, materials and marketing expenses currently being covered by Duffy's family. If you have already donated, thank you. If you are able to offer more support, thank you! We appreciate everyone's kind and generous support. Major donators contributing $250 or more will be recognized by name on a plaque inside the library. All donations of every amount will be recognized on social and in print media.
***
May 2021 - The Loved & Lost Memorial Bench
The Inspiration - At noon on October 17, 2019, 38-year-old Anesha "Duffy" Murnane went missing in downtown Homer, Alaska. She has not been seen or heard from since, and is presumed abducted and dead. Her mother Sara and stepfather Ed Berg have commissioned Homer artist Brad Hughes to create a bench to memorialize Duffy and to raise awareness of the issue of missing women and children that exists statewide, nationally, and internationally. Once completed, the bench will be reproducible for other communities who want their own bench.
Family Statement - "We, Duffy’s family, have been grieving for our daughter since she disappeared in October 2019, and because her body has not been found, we don’t have a grave and we want to create a memorial. Since she went missing, we have learned just how many women and children are taken every year, especially among the Native populations, and indeed around the world. We are certainly not alone in our plight and our grief, and so we decided to create this memorial for not just our daughter, but for all the others who are suffering as well. We want the bench to serve as a memorial and to raise awareness of this tragedy. This bench will be dedicated to all the lost ones, to all the taken ones, and to all those who loved them, left behind with so many questions.” Sara and Ed Berg
Why Artist Brad Hughes? - “I have known Brad for 40 years and have always admired his artwork. When we first envisioned this bench, we imagined a simple one to remember our daughter, but after a while, our original idea morphed into a more artistic bench. We looked around for ideas, and when we found the Nikki Geragotelis (Fry) bench on the Spit that was created by Brad, we thought it was the most beautiful bench we have ever seen, and we were sold. Soon, our bench evolved in our minds to something way beyond our daughter, and Loved & Lost was born. When we contacted Brad, his enthusiasm for this project was overwhelming and we were all excited by the prospect of not only memorializing Duffy, but recognizing the many other lost loved ones as well. I wanted Brad to create this bench because he is one of the most kind and compassionate people I know, and this shows in his art. I want only love in this bench and Brad is the perfect artist to bring it to life.” Sara Berg
The Vision - Brad and Sara began the design process in early April, wanting the bench to be inclusive, beautiful, and powerful in its message. With a completion goal of September 2021, this bench will be installed and dedicated in a public remembrance ceremony. The bench construction process using hi-tech concrete will provide a mold, from which similar benches can be created for other communities, customized to their specific needs. Any funds remaining in the GoFundMe can be used to assist in this distribution.
Artist Brad Hughes Project Statement – “When we think of a bench, usually we are referring to a conventional wooden seat and set of cast iron end supports that does little more than provide a convenient place to sit and might have an attached dedication to a person, place or event. In this case, our idea has evolved to so much more. It might better be thought of as permanent set of thematic sculptures dedicated to the memory of a beloved lost one, while at the same time, visually moving us to consider a deeply important phenomena that affects us all on many levels. This bench is a stand-alone work of art, which also provides a space to sit in contemplation and sometimes, grief. Sara has guided me, as artist on this project, to a piece that will acknowledge and help understand the complex emotions and experiences that cause so much grief, pain and suffering, as ones we love are taken from us without reason or explanation.
In taking on this challenge, a very complex and technically difficult idea has emerged which we think best expresses this, and we cannot bring ourselves to attempt less. It involves multiple fully delineated figures showing a wide range of emotional reactions that not only appear on both ends of the seating area, but continue to wrap the back side. The Loved & Lost ones yearn to somehow make connection. A flame of hope burns in the long space that separates them. To build the bench, we will start with sculpturing the figures in clay for the two corner pieces. Each sculptured corner will be coated repeatedly with liquid rubber to make a permanent mold. The molds will be filled with a hi-tech concrete called Trinic, which is reinforced with glass fibers and is extremely hard and durable. The molds can be used repeatedly for additional castings. A one-piece steel seat will be bolted onto the two concrete corner pieces. The inside surface of the corners will be flat and will have attached bronze dedication plaques, visible when sitting on the bench. The outer surface of the corners will display the sculptured figures.
This unique project will require a team of talented crafts people of several disciplines to carry out. It will push the limits of what we know and stretch us as we solve the issues this entails. We all look forward to the successful completion and installation of this important piece of art.” Brad Hughes
A Community Collaboration - This bench is a huge undertaking and community collaboration, and is made possible by artist Brad Hughes, with help from Duffy's brother Gregory and many other Homer artists and crafts people. Supporters from around Alaska and the Lower-48 have provided guidance about the ethnic diversity represented in the artwork. Christina Whiting is the project manager, local videographers are documenting the project, and Pastor Lisa Talbott with the Homer United Methodist Church is administering the funds.
Organizer and beneficiary
Loved and Lost Memorial Fund
Organizer
Homer, AK
Loved and Lost Memorial
Beneficiary
