I want to thank The Herald for the May 26 tribute to Bobbi Costa, executive director of Families &Friends of Violent Crime Victims, who passed away on May 24 (“Angel to crime victims is dead”). A special thank you goes to your reporters and editors who have learned over the years (at times under Bobbi’s tutelage) that victims of violence deserve to be treated with sensitivity and respect as relates to the publicizing of their tragedies. Reporter Scott North, in particular, has been a friend to our organization, has reported various homicide stories and related articles about FFVCV through the years. It was very fitting that he write the tribute to Bobbi’s life of service.
When one of the worst nightmares you can imagine actually happens in a person’s life – the mysterious disappearance or violent death of a loved one, or a life-threatening attack on one’s self – the reality experienced is always far worse than anything that can be imagined. Bobbi Costa understood this reality and its devastating effects on loved ones of homicide victims. For 25 years, she fought the good fight as a crime victims advocate with FFVCV, but I think most of all she is remembered as a compassionate friend, especially to the grief-stricken victims that she served.
Many recovering crime victims are mourning the death of this friend and many others (including those she associated with through the judicial system and other support agencies) are feeling this loss, but none of us feel it as deeply as her own daughters, grandchildren and surviving relatives. Our hearts go out to them in deepest sympathy.
On behalf of the board and staff at FFVCV, I offer our sincere gratitude to all those who, through your support, have been a part of the legacy that Bobbi leaves with us. I urge your continued (or newly committed) support and dedication to helping violent crime victims. I also covet your prayers for FFVCV as this huge vacancy in our hearts and in our organization leaves us bereft, but we must continue to serve victims of violent crime in their profound shock, confusion and grief. We must continue to work toward violent crime prevention. We must keep working to improve our judicial and correctional systems and keep fighting the good fight.
President, Board of Directors
Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims
Marysville
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
