Community members form a large circle during a candlelight vigil at Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier on Oct. 16. Photo by Tracy Brannstrom/The Bridge This story by Tracy Brannstrom was first published in The Bridge on Oct. 20, 2026.  MONTPELIER — Two people who died this fall while experiencing homelessness were remembered at a candlelight vigil Oct. 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier. The deaths of Faith Deuso and Jeff Santamore have reverberated through Montpelier’s unhoused community, with people involved in local efforts to support unhoused residents describing widespread grief and concern among those who knew them. The Rev. Jay Voorhees of Trinity United Methodist Church opened and facilitated the vigil, and the church’s chorus sang. About 80 people formed a circle for the candle lighting, passing the flame from one person to the next, following reflections from attendees about the lives of those being remembered. Deuso was remembered as passionate. “A firecracker,” one person said. Another called her “my street daughter.” People spoke of Santamore’s sharp wit — one person compared his humor to that of comedian George Carlin — as well as his humility, trustworthiness and striking blue eyes. Sarah Munro remembered Santamore for his intelligence and curiosity. He was a father figure to her daughter’s children, she said, and he and her daughter lived in Munro’s home for a time before becoming unhoused again. “He had a million books in my basement,” Munro recalled. She said he often shared books on philosophy and religion with her, choosing titles that reflected her interests. “He was a beautiful soul,” Munro said. Some alluded to the difficulties both Deuso and Santamore had endured. David Swett, who lives outside in downtown Montpelier, recalled seeing Santamore struggle in the period before his death. “You try to get behind him and everything that’s bringing him down, and it’s just, it’s sad. He gave up. He gave up the things he loved, and he isolated. We’ve all seen it before,” he said.  “The whole community cared about (Deuso) and knew she was having a hard time,” Seth Collins told The Bridge over a dinner of pizza and chocolate cake served to attendees at the end of the evening.  The gathering was animated, with laughter and tears throughout. At one point, several people in the audience broke into a spontaneous rendition of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls. Cindy Gauthier, kitchen coordinator at Another Way, urged people to show greater care for one another. Bob Emmons of Montpelier shares memories at the vigil about those who were lost. Photo by Tracy Brannstrom/The Bridge “As a community we just have to come around, all of us, and just care for each other more. Something’s missing,” she said. “Reach out to folks you know and explain that we’re all human beings and we all deserve dignity.” Voorhees closed by reflecting on the lasting impact Deuso and Santamore had on those who knew them. “Each one of us that knew them has been changed by them. We carry them with us throughout the rest of our lives. Whether we want to or not, they have changed us and made us different people,” he said. He urged that those gathered honor their memories by questioning the conditions that leave people experiencing homelessness vulnerable to premature death. “Because we live in a place where it is — how do I say this? — a scandal, that people have to die on the streets. It is an absolute scandal,” Voorhees said. “My hope is that you will go forth from this place tonight and begin asking the question, why? Why did this have to happen and what can we do to change it?” Read the story on VTDigger here: At vigil, memories of two who died while unhoused and a call for change. ...read more read less