Photos: Emotional Vigil at Pauper’s Field Remembering Tucson’s Homeless Lives Lost in 2024

On Friday evening, a solemn gathering took place at a Tucson cemetery, where members of the Primavera Foundation read aloud the names of over 200 individuals who died while homeless in Pima County during the past year. As each name resonated through the dusk, a bell tolled, honoring the memory of those lost.

This annual commemoration is part of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, observed across the United States to draw attention to the lives of the homeless, particularly on the winter solstice, which this year fell on December 21. For about twenty years, the Primavera Foundation has held this vigil at Pauper’s Field in Evergreen Cemetery.

Contributing to the reflective atmosphere were Rabbi Stephanie Aaron from Congregation Chaverim and Pastor Naomi Hartman from Lutheran Church of the Foothills, who emphasized the need for hope and the acknowledgment of the dignity and humanity of those living on society’s margins. Community members were invited to pay tribute by placing carnations on graves, symbolizing respect for the deceased.

Primavera’s Chief Human Resources Officer Margarita Bauzá remarked, “One death is too many,” referring to the over 200 verified deaths, among them seven military veterans. Disturbingly, 63 of the deceased remain unidentified. The youngest victim was just 21 years old, while the oldest was 81.

Reflecting on societal conditions, Bauzá identified overdose, pedestrian accidents, and hypothermia as the leading causes of death for this vulnerable population, stating, “These are preventable deaths.” She shared the poignant story of Jeff Fenchak, a man known for his jovial spirit, who succumbed to medical hardships earlier this year. “His presence continues to be missed at the drop-in center,” she said.

Bauzá called for collective action, urging community members to consider how they might contribute to alleviating homelessness. “The need is so great,” she emphasized, “and it requires involvement from everyone.” From offering land for housing to checking on neighbors, her message was clear: individual efforts can foster significant change.

Dr. Greg Hess, Pima County’s chief medical examiner, highlighted that approximately 13,000 individuals die annually in the county, but a concerning subset has no one to arrange their final rites. However, he noted a decline in deaths among the unhoused from 2023 to 2024, mirroring a national trend that showed about 20 homeless individuals dying daily.

Despite the grim statistics, local data indicates a 15% decrease in homelessness from the previous year. In January, the count revealed 2,100 individuals lacking shelter, with around 821 residing in emergency shelters, while others remained exposed to the elements.

Rabbi Aaron reminded attendees of their responsibility to remember those forgotten by society, stating, “These bells ring out for us to remember the soul prints these individuals left in the world.” Each name read was a reminder that every person contributes to the community fabric, whether sheltered or unhoused. Primavera’s Outreach Services Director Randi Arnett emphasized the profound impact of these losses, noting they extend beyond personal tragedy to affect the entire community.

As twilight deepened, the sounds of laughter and camaraderie dissipated, replaced by the rustling of carnations laid gently across gravestones—each flower a testament to lives lived and lost in silence.