Veronica Jones reads aloud the names of the 18 victims, joined by Victoria Knapp and Nic Arnzen (Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
Six months after the devastating Eaton Fire, the Altadena community gathered Monday evening in the Grocery Outlet parking lot on Lake Avenue to honor and remember the 18 Altadenans who lost their lives in the blaze.
By News Desk
Held at 2270 Lake Ave., the memorial also recognized the 23 residents still missing in the wake of a fire that scarred both land and lives.
The ceremony began at 6:18 pm, a solemn and symbolic choice marking the exact time the fire ignited on January 7.
Altadena Town Council Chair Victoria Knapp, Vice Chair Nic Arnzen, and other Council members were present, along with local officials and community members. Attendees also included U.S. Representative Judy Chu and representatives from the offices of State Senator Shasha Rene Perez, Assemblymember John Harabedian, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
In a powerful display of unity, neighbors came together to share stories, create chalk art, and support one another. Spoken word performances and quiet conversations served as a testament to the town’s resilience and shared grief.
During the event, Veronica Jones, President of the Altadena Historical Society and former Town Council member, read aloud the names of the 18 victims, followed by a moment of silence to honor their memory:
- Oswald Altmetz, 75 – 30 Blk W Pine, Altadena (CT 4603.01)
- Carolyn Burns, 56 – 800 Blk E Sacramento, Altadena (CT 4611)
- Edwin Cridland, 94 – 200 Blk Wapello, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Dalyce Curry, 95 – 3000 Blk Krenz Ave., Altadena (CT 4603.01)
- Kevin Devine, 54 – 900 Blk Boston St., Altadena (CT 4612)
- Miva Wheatley Friedli, 93 – 80 Blk W Mariposa, Altadena (CT 4603.02)
- Erliene Kelley, 83 – 3200 Blk Tonia, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Barbara Lewis, 84 – 20 Blk E Palm, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Evelyn McClendon, 59 – 100 Blk E Las Flores, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Patricia McKenna, 77 – 500 Blk Punahou, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Anthony Mitchell, 67 – 100 Blk W Terrace, Altadena (CT 4603.02)
- Justin Mitchell, 35 – 100 Blk W Terrace, Altadena (CT 4603.02)
- Rodney Nickerson, 82 – 300 Blk Pine Dr., Altadena (CT 4602)
- Victor Shaw, 66 – 3400 Blk Monterosa, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Lora Swayne, 71 – 500 Blk E Las Flores, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Kimberly Winiecki, 77 – 100 Blk E Las Flores, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Zhi Feng Zhao, 84 – 3200 Blk Tonia, Altadena (CT 4602)
- Stacey Darden, 54 – 2500 Blk Marengo Ave, Altadena (CT 4611)
“[Monday] evening, our parking lot was filled with love, resilience, and community spirit,” read a message from Grocery Outlet Altadena. “Every moment was a reminder that Altadena is strong, and we’re stronger together.”
As memories were shared, the community reaffirmed a simple truth: Altadena stands together—in mourning, in healing, and in hope.
Chalk art at the memorial (Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
A moment of silence to honor the memory of the 18 victims (Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
Colonel Sonny Avichal speaking at the memorial (Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
Expressing messages of love and remembrance in chalk (Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
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