In Memory of

Speaker Melissa Hortman

Mark Hortman

Gilbert Hortman

Melissa’s music was her drive, heart and passion for the things she cared about.
She was our Symphony Conductor and made music we all will sing to for many years to come.

There are no words to describe the pain felt by the tragic loss of Melissa, Mark and Gilbert Hortman. The unrelenting grief and sadness that has overtaken our communities speaks to the impact these individuals had, not only for the work Melissa did in the State Legislature, but for the relationships they built with family, friends and colleagues.

Speaker Melissa Hortman was the embodiment of courage, resolve and grit. It wasn’t just about getting things done, it was about getting them done together. She never left anyone behind. Melissa wasn’t just an extraordinary Speaker of the House and leader, she was also a Daughter, Mother, Wife, Friend and had a love for gardening and flowers. That love for gardening seemed to spill over into everything she did. Every seed she planted was tended to with devotion, dedication and love that bloomed into indescribable beauty. Her marriage to Mark, her two children, Sophie and Colin, her bond with the lovable golden retriever Gilbert, her work in the legislature and the countless hearts she’s touched across this state were all seeds she planted. She may be gone, but her blossoms are still all around us. Where flowers bloom, so does hope.

“If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:

Plant a tree.
Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.

“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”

-Sophie and Colin Hortman