Oct 01, 2014


On Sept. 27, family, friends and supporters of the Tristin Osborne Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Limestone Learning Foundation (LLF) celebrated at a special Tennessee-style gala fundraiser at Carol Bisaillon's and Daryl Martin's Dreamcatcher Farms near Sunbury. Long-time Tennessee natives Greg and Valerie Heinike, owners of the Bell Buckle Café in Tennessee, traveled to Sunbury with some of their staff to prepare a Tennessee-style evening of dining for the event, which was attended by over 200 guests, many sporting cowboy boots and hats.

Kingston radio hosts Rick Choma and Lisa Ray were the emcees and musical entertainment was provided by numerous talented guests, including Grammy nominee Valerie Smith, the Abrams Brothers and Rudy and Saddle Up.

Tristin Osborne was a former KCVI graduate who despite a learning disability went on to pursue a post-secondary degree in teaching at Aurora College in Yellowknife. Tragically she passed away in her sleep in 2004, just two months before graduating. Following Tristin’s death her mother Judy and father John created a memorial fund to honour her and help students with learning disabilities. Through the fund, a scholarship award is presented annually to a graduating student from the Limestone District School Board who is interested in furthering their education and overcoming the challenges posed by a learning disability.

The memorial gala is the second time the Osbornes have teamed up with the LLF to put on the fundraiser. For several years the Osbornes held the annual TOMM Fest, a music-festival styled fundraiser in Tristin's honour, which has been replaced by the combined LLF fundraiser at Dreamcatcher Farms.

In remembering her daughter, Judy Osborne said she was “a very bright, darling little girl who strived to overcome her disabilities so that she could ‘come to better understand students who are learning-disabled and help them to reach their goals.’” Judy said she was “a peace lover who could never do enough for others” and said she worked extra shifts while studying in Yellowknife to support others in need in that community.

Tristin received her teaching degree from the college posthumously and today her legacy continues to support learning-disabled students pursuing post secondary studies.

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