HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — Those who remembered Denise Salmon Burditus gathered at Hedgesville High School on Thursday evening for a short service and candlelight vigil.
It was a somber mood at Mumaw Stadium behind the school, yet among the hugs and tears, there were smiles and laughter as many reflected on the joy Burditus brought in their lives.
Burditus died in her husband’s arms during Sunday’s attack in Las Vegas that left 58 total people dead and around 500 others injured.
The vigil was organized by a group of Burditus’ closest friends who were part of the Class of 1985 with her at Hedgesville High, the same place where she met her husband of 32 years, Tony.
Lisa Griffith is a part of the group and she reflected on how friendly Denise Burditus was to others.
“Shenanigans. That laugh. Just her personality that would just jump up at you,” Griffith said. “She never met a stranger. I know a lot of people say that but literally, she never met a stranger.”
Ramona Roman added that Burditus’ friendliness shined when she was around people.
“Her smile. Her outgoing personality. Her love for everybody around her. Just joy” Roman said. “Just a light of sunshine every time you look at her.”
The group was last all together in May celebrating 50th birthdays together.
“It was just like we always do,” Roman recalled. “We all get together and we celebrate each other’s lives. And that was the last time.”
Griffith mentioned during that last time together, the trip to Las Vegas was brought up as a possibility for the entire group.
“Actually, we had all talked about going out to Vegas for our 50th birthday,” she said. “But because of schedules and so forth, we didn’t go and Denise and them went to Vegas. She didn’t come home.”
The vigil was officiated by Rev. Tom Snyder who knew Burditus as a child and played on the Hedgesville football team with her husband Tony.
“She was a beautiful skinny little kid with a great big smile,” Snyder said.
Snyder called Tony Burditus “one of the best men from Berkeley County.”
Snyder’s message to the roughly 200 in attendance did not focus on the tragedy but rather the joy Denise Burditus put in their lives.
“Love conquers hate,” Snyder said. “This isn’t about what he (the shooter, Stephen Paddock) done. This is about her life. We’re going to celebrate. That’s what I want to convey. We’re going to celebrate the great life that she had.”
Burditus was remembered as a big country music fan, and with candles raised high, the night ended with everyone singing “Country Roads” in remembrance.
Tony Burditus had not returned to Berkeley County prior to the vigil. Friends said the family is planning a formal service.