Torri Wightman

In Remembrance of Torri Wightman

May 20, 2006

by Tom Wightman (Torri’s Uncle)

Good morning,

On behalf of the Wightman Family, I would like to thank all of you for coming today to celebrate the life of Torri Wightman. Over the last few days, there has been such an overwhelming amount of love and support from family and friends that words cannot express the gratitude that Torri’s parents, Don and Lucy, feel. Last nights turnout at the Sullivan Funeral Home is a true testament of how much each one of us cared about Torri and her family.

I would like to thank some very special people who gave so much of themselves over the last several days. Jimmy Hussey, for his caring and gentle manner and who has always been there for Donny over the years; April and Joey Kramer who both epitomize the meaning of love and friendship by their caring and giving ways; and Debbie Calabro, whose compassion, understanding and love will never be forgotten.

Over the last several days, the newspapers have taken different slants on this tragic story. A story of a girl, like many teenagers before her, who was taken too soon. I am not sure why some tragedies make the headlines and some don’t. But today I would like to give my own headline on who Torri Wightman really was.

Victoria Ellen Wightman wore many hats during her short life. She was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend. Torri loved life and constantly challenged it. She was inquisitive, caring, dramatic, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She saw the good in people and surrounded herself with a diverse group of friends. She spent many summer days at the cape with her grandparents and as a child she love trying to manipulate her aunts and uncle into buying things for her; and she usually got her own way.

Torri was the apple of her parent’s eye. She loved her dog Perry Winkle. Torri loved her older brother Donny and even though they were 10 years apart, she knew that she could always count on him. Donny recently became a police officer like his father and she was very proud of him. Although she never had a sister, her cousin Elise filled that role. They were more than cousins; they were friends - friends that could share everything together and never judged one another. The ultimate friendship. Torri spent many Sunday dinners and holidays at her Grandfather and Grammies house in Walpole. She was deeply loved by her cousins Billy, Bobby, Lindsey, David and James. Often, she was a weekend fixture at her Aunt Cindy and Uncle David’s home in Holliston. She had her Aunt Rhonda’s sense of humor and loved her Gramie Wightman’s family traditions, although she challenged those also. Torri learned how to be part of a family and what family meant. Always there for each other - no matter what.

She loved writing poetry and song lyrics. One of her favorite things was to play the guitar. She was an avid reader and photography buff. Torri loved to challenge the norm. Torri was an introvert to some and an extrovert to others. She was an Aerosmith fan and even traveled to Japan for one of their concerts. Her idol was Steven Tyler and knowing Torri, if she had her way, she probably would have taken over as lead singer for the band some day.

She loved simple things like her grandfathers homemade meatballs, a beautiful day and just being with her friends.

On Tuesday morning, Torri left for school just like any other day. Her dad dropped her off and went on his way. It was just another rainy day. At 10:30, Torri made a silly decision to take the rest of the morning off and she left school with friends. Everyone of us here today has made a silly decision or two in our life. At 11 am, Torri left this world for another. She left behind a father that would give his life for her - a father that was so truly dedicated to her. She also left a mother who has lost part of herself.

I have to believe that Torri is in a much happier place. All of the rains of the past week were just Gods tears because he knew he had to call her home and realized what an impact it would have on those that Torri would leave behind. She is writing her poetry and playing her guitar. She is looking down at each of us today and smiling knowing how much that she was loved.

As you leave here today, tell someone that you love them because you never know when you will be called home; buckle your seat belt because it could save your life; and finally say a prayer for all those other young people that were with Torri on Tuesday. No one meant to intentionally hurt anyone - it was just an accident.

For all of Torri’s friends that are here today, give yourself a good cry. But tomorrow, feel the sun on your face, smell the flowers, laugh, love and dance. Begin your day living life to its fullest. Be the most that you can be. Make decisions that will make your parents proud. Be the potential that Torri can never be. That is what she would want each of you to do.

So this is my headline of what Torri Wightman was all about. My story probably isn’t sensationalized enough to sell newspapers or be an enticing headline story on the ten o’clock news. However, this is the true Torri that the newspapers and TV left out. And, for doing that I say shame on them.

As I was speaking with my brother Don the other night, about what it is like to lose a child and why things seem so senseless, I told him children are just a gift from God. They are not the child’s parents to keep and God can call them home at anytime. He looked at me and said “Maybe God just needed a guitar player”. And, maybe it is just as simple as that.

So as we bring you to your final resting place today, always remember that we love you Torri - you will remain forever young in our minds and we will miss you - but always know that you will grow old with us in our hearts. God bless you.