“Tonight we gather not for headlines or statistics, but for people-for lives taken and lives still fighting to survive; for families forever changed; for a community that refuses to look away,” said Amber Morningstar, chief executive officer at the YWCA Northcentral PA.

As each name was called and a candle lit at the table, the way in which they suffered at the hands of their abuser was read, but the emphasis was placed on who they were, how they touched the lives of those around them and what will be missed by their absence.

As Morningstar noted in her remarks, “their absence is felt at dinner tables, in classrooms, in empty chairs at family gatherings and in communities still aching for justice and healing.

“We do not gather tonight to sensationalize tragedy-we gather to say their lives mattered,” she added.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Candles are lit next to diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence at the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

Delores “Dee” Wilson’s sister Lori Parker was at the vigil.. Dee was murdered in 1996 at the age of 42. Parker shared her vivid memories of that time even though 29 years have passed.

“Little did we know what she was going through…he would always find her wherever she went. He even sat across from Wise Options when she was there,” Parker said.

“On June 23, 1996, my life changed forever,” she said.

She shared that, on that day, she received a call from her brother-in-law telling her that her sister had been shot.

“My head was spinning trying to understand how anyone could take someone else’s life. I still don’t understand,” Parker said.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence fill a table in the rotunda of the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

Some of the victims remembered were very young. Susan Yasipour was murdered by her father just four days before her fifth birthday.

A child’s table was set for Susan and the three other children who never made it to the age of 10 — Jasmine and Nicole Snyder, and Kalib Nash Blase. It was a stark reminder that domestic violence has no age limits.

Lynn Wright’s sister also spoke about how their family had no idea what Lynne was going through before her life was taken on in 2013. Lynn was 53 years old.

“Our family was far away, so we didn’t see her often and on phone calls, he (her abuser) was always on the line,” said Dottie McLane. “We didn’t know until it happened.”

McLane praised the staff at Wise Options for the help that her sister had received.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Candles light the rotunda of the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance honoring victims of domestic violence in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

The Y provides emergency shelter, 24/7 hotline services, crisis counseling, legal and court advocacy, transportation to safety, housing support and more, Morningstar told those at the vigil.

“We are the only domestic violence shelter serving this county and we remain open — even though funding is uncertain — because danger does not wait for a budget to be passed,” she said.

During the invocation at the beginning of the vigil, Kevin Hadley, an adult and child counselor at the YWCA prayed for understanding and vigilance for people to know “that violence does not always come with physical scarring and bruising.”

“Give us an understanding and keep us vigilant to recognize those who need assistance,” Hadley said.

In closing, as each person attending extinguished their candles, Morningstar urged everyone to support the work being done at the YWCA.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Candles are lit next to diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence at the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

“We cannot ignore the reality: The need is rising faster than resources. Domestic violence does not pause when funding is delayed. Safety cannot wait,” she said.

“Let the extinguishing of the candles tonight not be an ending, but a beginning. A beginner of louder advocacy; a beginning of deeper compassion; a beginning of unwavering resolve,” she said.

“May we remember with tenderness; may we act with courage; may we love with urgency,” she added.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Candles are lit next to diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence at the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Candles are lit next to diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence at the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Candles are lit next to diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence at the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent A childrens' table displays diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence at the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Candles are lit next to diner plates with names of victims of domestic violence at the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in their honor in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Purple lights illuminate the facade of the YWCA during a Vigil of Hope and Remembrance in honor of victims of domestic violence in Williamsport on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.