SHELBURNE FALLS — Summer Steele would have been a senior in high school this year.
It’s a tragedy she’s not here, her mother, Amanda Taylor, said, but Summer’s memory lives on through her friends and family, and every pumpkin carved in the hilltowns.
The Plainfield girl was killed on Oct. 28, 2016, at just 9 years old, after her backpack got caught in the door of a school bus and she was run over. Every year since, Summer’s friends, family and other community members have gathered in advance of Halloween to carve pumpkins in her memory.
“I’m her mom and I don’t want anyone to forget her. Nobody’s going to forget her,” Taylor said.
This year, community members carved heart shapes into more than 140 pumpkins in honor of Summer. Taylor said Summer would have been amazed at the sight of all the pumpkins.
“I just think her eyes would light up,” Taylor said. “Summer loved Halloween. Carving pumpkins was her favorite thing in the world.”
Taylor said she was grateful for everyone who came to the Shelburne Falls Pub and Brew last week to carve pumpkins with her, and to everyone who carved pumpkins at home in honor of Summer.
“It’s always a good crew,” she said. “I’m just so thankful for the people who show up to remember her.”
