We recently learned of the passing of one of our alumna — Trice — who died in a car accident.
To honor her legacy, we held a memorial on the farm, where we dedicated a flowering shrub and birdhouse gourd, both of which are pink, her favorite color.
With permission, we have shared a snippet of Farm Manager Kaya’s speech made at the dedication.
“I want to talk about someone unforgettable — someone who was loud, raw, and real. She didn’t hold back or try to soften who she was, no matter the situation.
She was fearless. Not in a cliché kind of way, but in the way that she carrier her truth without apology. She could be crude, hilarious, confident, and chaotic — all at once.
Trice had always been on the losing side of systems designed to fail people like her — from poverty, abuse, institutional injustice that punishes survival instead of understanding it.
She made mistakes. She hurt people. I bring this up because it’s part of this life. We all hurt each other, especially the ones closest to us. That’s human. And even in the hurt, I never stopped caring about Trice.
Trice fell back into addiction. She was arrested again and went to prison. I still thought of her. Still hoped she was finding joy, even in a place as bleak as that. If anyone could, it was her. She had a way of finding light in dark places — of laughing alongside the pain.
Trice didn’t have much, but what she had, she gave freely. She connected with people deeply She made you feel seen.
That’s the thing about places like this — The Farm, prison. They force you to see people for who they are. The connections you make here can last a lifetime, even if you never cross paths again.
Trice left a mark. She mattered.
She was complicated, loving, flawed, generous, and completely herself.
I will always love her.”
In memory of Trice
Trice’s family is seeking donations to fund her funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cassie-deserves-a-beautiful-farewell
