April 1 would have been Lauren Dunne Astley’s 28th birthday. To celebrate Lauren’s life, Wayland resident Donna Bouchard has launched an initiative called “Turn Wayland Coral,” inviting residents to tie coral-colored ribbons somewhere outdoors during the month of April. After Lauren’s murder in 2011, coral ribbons in her memory adorned doors, fences, mailboxes, lampposts and trees throughout Wayland.
“Remembering Lauren through any public use of the color coral, her favorite color in 2011, can serve several purposes,” says Malcolm Astley, Lauren’s father. “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.”
Russell’s Garden Center currently has coral ribbon and bows in stock. Bouchard also invites creativity: “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.”
All are invited to watch a virtual remembrance of Lauren on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. on http://www.waycam.tv/live or on WayCAM Channel 8 (Comcast) or Channel 37 (Verizon).