Fairfield community gathers for silent walk through Chautauqua Park

FAIRFIELD – More than 100 people gathered in Fairfield’s Chautauqua Park for a silent walk Saturday afternoon.

The purpose of the walk was to give the community a chance to bond and to lean on each other during a difficult time. The community is reeling from the death of Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber, whose body was found in Chautauqua Park on Nov. 3, and two juveniles have been charged with killing her.

Chautauqua Park was a special place for Graber because she walked there every day after school. To honor her memory, the Fairfield Public Library converted an altar set up for its Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) program into a shrine for Graber, where people could place photos and other items that reminded them of Graber.

Fairfield resident Agustín Griffin Harless visited the Day of the Dead altar with his son to place flowers from their garden, leave an ear of corn, and pay their respects. Harless spoke with Fairfield Youth Services Librarian Alecs Mickunas, who set up the altar, and mentioned that he was pleased to see the community organize a vigil and service for Graber in the days after her death.

“It seems like we could use more opportunities as a community to connect with what’s going on and to connect with each other,” Harless said. “I told [Mickunas] I had an idea about having a memorial fire that anyone could go to.”

Harless said he’s held memorial fires before when someone in his life passed away.

“Anyone who knew that person can tell a story, sing a song or just be in silence,” Harless said.

Mickunas and Harless talked it over and agreed that a silent walk through Chautauqua Park would be the most appropriate event. Harless called resident Mary Roche, who was already planning something similar with a group of friends.

“Everyone felt like a walk was a good first step,” Harless said.

The number of organizers grew to 10: Mickunas, Harless, Roche and also Dhyana Miller, Emma Breffle, Gregory Louie, Sparrow Mattes, Geralyn Bliss, Paul Morehead and Tom Ó Néill.

Harless said he understood that members of the public might be hesitant to visit Chautauqua Park.

“What I treasured about the walk was that there was a chance for people who wanted to go to the park but felt nervous doing so alone,” Harless said. “Maybe some people said, ‘I’m nervous to go, but I’ll go with a group,’ and that will be more comfortable for them.”

Harless said he did not know Graber personally, although he feels a kinship with her because he is a substitute teacher in the district, and last year taught Spanish at Singing Cedars school in Fairfield.

“The walk had so much to do with Nohema, and it was also about the whole community, because when something horrible happens to any of us, it affects so many,” Harless said. “Everyone is feeling the pain of this thing. We wanted to create something that anyone in town would feel welcome to.”

When Graber passed, she left behind Paul and their three children: Christian, Nohema Marie and Jared. Those four attended Saturday’s walk. Paul said he was glad the organizers put together a walk in Nohema’s honor.

“It’s good they did this, because the town needed to reclaim this park,” Paul said. “They didn’t wish to have that stain remain here.”

Paul said Chautauqua Park was one of Nohema’s favorite parks in town because of its convenient location near the high school. In the days after her death and after hearing from so many of her current and former students, Paul said he learned new things about Nohema.

“I was unaware of the depth of her influence,” he said. “I knew she was helping people, because that was her way. She loved children, and had a good heart. She had a passion for her culture and her country.”