“There is no normal anymore. You’ve got to find the new normal.”

Early last year Lydia Cassady, a devoted mother of two teenagers and a certified clinical medical assistant, was preparing to flee the abuse of her longtime partner and father of her children. He shot and killed her in their home before she could escape.

“She was my younger sister, 12 years younger, so I kind of raised her,” shares Carolyn Hundley. “She was so creative. If you needed something fixed, an outfit made, a wreath for your door, she could do it.”

After Lydia’s death, Carolyn received a call from an advocate at our shelter offering support. Darlene, our executive director, attended Lydia’s funeral service, an act of kindness that touched the family.

With every tragic loss, loved ones are left to grieve while trying to understand the violence.

I think with anyone close to these situations, there’s guilt,” shares Carolyn. “My grief group tells me all the time, ‘you can go there, but you can’t stay there.’”

In the months following Lydia’s murder, her family and friends began to explore meaningful ways to honor her life.

“We needed something to divert from all the doom and gloom. Lydia’s middle name was Blanche, so everyone called her Aunt B. She had tons of stuff with bumblebees on it.”

Inspired by this memory, they started a small business selling crochet bees and other bee-themed items at BHiveStrong.com to raise awareness about domestic homicide.

The hive represents Lydia’s family, and they donate 25% of sales to support our services for survivors of intimate partner abuse.

“We find the strength to continue without her by working to help others.”

The Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates domestic homicides related to intimate partner abuse increased 86% last year. Please reach out to our 24-hour hotline if you or someone you know is being abused: 800.544.2022.