Bring Coral Ribbons Back To Wayland For Lauren Astley: Letter

The following is a letter to the editor and does not necessarily reflect the views of Wayland Patch.

On April 1, 2011, a beautiful, talented, and beloved young woman — Lauren Dunne Astley —celebrated her 18th birthday. Ten years later, on what would have been Lauren’s 28th birthday, please accept this invitation to celebrate her life and TURN WAYLAND CORAL!

Wayland’s own Susan Wagner, reporting for the MetroWest Daily News at the time, aptly captured the story behind the coral ribbons and bows that adorned so many doors, mailboxes, trees, lampposts, and fences as 2011 drew to a close:

“The coral ribbons are mostly down, but the sparkle of Lauren Dunne Astley’s life is still fresh in the memory and love of her friends and family, both immediate and extended.”

Lauren’s “extended family” was all of Wayland at the time, and that reality has never changed. She lives on forever in our hearts and minds. Russell’s Garden Center made and sold more than 1,400 coral bows in 2011, while also donating the proceeds to the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund.

Elizabeth Russell-Skehan confirmed that Russell’s Flower Shop has lovely coral ribbon in stock: 508-358-2283 ext. 412. For those with an artistic flair, please feel free to create your own coral masterpiece — sidewalk art, flowers, balloons, streamers, hearts, flags — whatever feels right.

Malcolm Astley, Lauren’s dad, eloquently put into words why bringing beautiful expressions of coral back to Wayland this year can help us all:

“Remembering Lauren through any public use of the color coral, her favorite in 2011, can serve several purposes. This is a time for reflection, mourning and also treasuring what we have to celebrate in remembering Lauren and so much more from the growing past of the pandemic and its losses. Reflection, mourning and treasuring, all part of good grief which we need to learn to do in better ways together in successfully facing and valuing our inevitable losses in community.”

It is impossible to know how many lives have been saved by the incredible outreach effort established by Lauren’s parents after her tragic murder in 2011. Their selfless mission — to promote dynamic educational programs, particularly those in the areas of the development of healthy teen relationships, the arts, and community service — continues to serve many.

April’s full moon — traditionally referred to as the “pink moon” — will appear on April 26 as the first of two supermoons this year. Suffice it to say, this supermoon is going to rise over Wayland with the most beautiful tint of coral!

Let April be the month that fills our hearts with the same energy, hope, and caring as Lauren, who lived her life with laughter and to the fullest. By the time April’s glorious supermoon lights up our night sky in just a few short weeks, please help spread the good word and TURN WAYLAND CORAL.

You are also invited to watch the broadcast of a touching Virtual Remembrance of Lauren on Thursday night, April 1, 2021 at 7:30pm: http://www.waycam.tv/live or on WayCAM Channel 8 (Comcast) or Channel 37 (Verizon). Thanks so much for your support – and “Keep on Sparkling!”

—Donna Bouchard, Wayland