March 17, 1990—January 1, 2021
We lost our precious Graham on January 1, 2021, due to accidental drowning. Graham, who cherished his Cajun roots, was born in Opelousas, LA, and moved to Louisville, CO, at age 8. In 2008 he graduated from Centaurus High School where he was a champion wrestler, receiving the Heart of the Warrior award. He was an accomplished golfer and a gifted athlete with a love for snowboarding, hiking, and fishing. Often referred to as “the soul of my family” by his mom, Graham had a quiet, gentle manner that reflected his love for “peaceful pondering” and his loving essence. “Kind, gentle, and sensitive to a fault” are words often repeated to describe Graham. His smile and dreamy eyes captured many.
He is survived by his mother, Michele Bourgeois; his brother, Jacob Hebert; his sister, Amelie Hebert; 3 nieces, Asahi Hebert, Hikaru Hebert, and Vivienne Invernizze; and many beloved family members and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Michael Hebert.
The family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers who helped in location and retrieval efforts for weeks until recovery on February 7, 2021.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Boulder Valley Christian Church, on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. Facebook livestream link will be available @ “Amelierose” beginning on February 20. Please email hebert.amelie@gmail.com for the link.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Graham’s Memorial Givebutter page. https://givebutter.com/RDwsji
Proceeds will go toward two memorial benches, one at Blue Heron Park Lake in Littleton, and another at a trail in Boulder County. Additional funds will go toward scholarships through the Amen Clinics Foundation, enabling other families to receive vital brain diagnostics they could not otherwise afford. For more information about their important work, visit their website, www.amenclinics.com.
I was there watching and praying for you. I walked by you so many times to tell you, idk what I could’ve even said, but at least a warm hug. “I’m sorry” ISNT ENOUGH.
I’ve shared this from the begining with my mother. I just moved here from NM and we always FaceTime in the mornings from that lake where I go to pray and meditate. She was heart broken, saying maybe it’s not him, or go hug the mom, or “pray April, his family needs your prayers baby!” So I did and have been still. I stayed there till the very end. I know u don’t know me, but I’m here to listen, vent, anything at all!! I know what loss like that feels like. PLEASE REACH OUT AND LET GOD GIVE ME THE RIGHT WORDS OR NO WORDS AT ALL. You and your beautiful son with the most amazing smile, are a big chunk of my
💔💛💔💛
April, your words and prayers mean more than you know. when we dedicate the bench to Graham I hope you will be able to attend. (maybe Spring time?) and I hope you can attend via facebook livestream if you so desire. The kindness and compassion we received from the Blue Heron Park neighborhood was beyond amazing, helpful, touching. So grateful to you all Gratitude to you and your mom. Prayers ARE powerful, make no mistake!
April, can you provide your email and phone? I am so grateful for your prayers, and your mom’s. And I will hope you can join when we dedicate his memorial bench and tree.
April I hope you and others in the Blue Heron Park neighborhood can join us on Saturday, July 10 at 10 a.m. to dedicate Graham’s memorial bench and tree! You can come and give me that HUG!
Prayers and hugs from Louisiana to Michelle and her family. Deepest condolences and loving thoughts to all!
thank you friend!
My heart goes out to all of you at this time of great loss. My prayer is that your wonderful memories of Graham will give you comfort.
thank you friend.
Michele and family,
You can see in Graham’s face what his soul has brought to this world. So deeply sorry for your loss, and wish you the comfort of good memories in the days ahead.
thank you sweet Mary. I will try to remember that the “sun will come out tomorrow…”
Michelle my sincere condolences for the tremendous loss of your son. I feel your pain. Unfortunately many of us know the fight between good and evil. I pray that Graham’s Angels wrapped their wings around him and placed him where there is love that he can feel, free from temptations and he can Rest In Peace. God bless you and your family. You have an Angel for life.🙏🏼😇🙏🏼
Phyllis thank you. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Graham is in pure divine light, exactly where he should be, wrapped in the love and protection of MANY of our angels. That is a clear knowing, not a hope or “belief.” He is in peace. That brings me solace. We will carry his kind, gentle spirit on as best we can, though we will miss him terribly.
thank you friend
My condolence and sympathies to the family and friends!
thank you Jerry!
Michele, my live, thoughts, and prayers surround you during this terrible time of loss.
I offer this poem that has comforted me:
Death Is Nothing At All
Henry Scott-Holland By Henry Scott-Holland
More Henry Scott-Holland
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Love and prayers,
Laura Davenport
so beautiful!
Laura this is a beautiful poem. Thank you so much for your heart and prayers!
Michele, Amelie and Jacob, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious Graham. I remember Graham as a toddler here in Grand Coteau and it sounds like he grew to be an outstanding young man. Sending love and praying for comfort during this difficult time.
Mary Jo, thank you!!! Love that you remember!
My dearest Michele, My condolences, my love and all my most positive blessings are sent your way as I can only imagine the pain you must be feeling. You are so deeply loved by so many as I am sure Graham was in his time here with us. Please know when you need any of us we are here for you. He sounds like an incredible human and I am so sorry I didn’t get to meet him. Sending all our love your way!
thank you sweet becky!
Michelle and family I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved son. I will keep you in my prayers and ask that God comfort you as only He can during this time.
thank you so much, prayers are powerful!
Dearest Michele, Amelie and family, My heart goes out to you, I’m so sorry for your tremendous loss. Graham was clearly such an amazing, beautiful person. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I love you both.
thank you dear friend.
Dear Michelle, my deepest condolences to you and your children on the loss of Graham. He seems to have been a shining light in lives of everyone he encountered. I will continue to pray for comfort and peace for you, your family and all who loved him.
thank you friend.
Dear Michele,
We are surrounding you with love.
So grateful, love is powerful.
May love surround you and hug your heart and my beautiful memories quench your soul. I am so sorry for your tremendous loss.
thank you sweet friend.
Graham was such a gentle soul. He will be greatly missed. I am so sorry for the family and this worlds loss.
thank you, these words mean so much.
Dearest Michele, Amelie, Jacob,
Graham helped me paint my porch several years ago. We had fun and we made grill cheese and ham sandwiches for lunch. We worked together and listened to music and it was a nice day. The room looked beautiful. I have not repainted it. Maybe I never will. His memory is a blessing to me.
Love and hugs to you all,
Annie
Annie, I remember when that happened. I knew you two would hit it off.. both gentle, present, contemplative. So happy you have that piece of him. He enjoyed painting for you, I remember. And you let him. He was a GOOD painter– his “Focus” and calm unhurried manner was so helpful in this context. Love you for this moment.
Dear Michele and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Jenny Heidel
thank you friend. Prayers are powerful.
Michelle I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. Sending love and prayers to all of you. May God Bless and Comfort y’all.
thank you so much. prayers are powerful.
I enjoyed meeting Graham when he moved into the West Ridge neighborhood. He came by and introduced himself , which I appreciated. Handsome young man with a gentle spirit. I am very sorry for your loss.
so beautiful to hear this thank you for sharing!
so lovely to hear this, thank you so much!! Means more than you know!
Please just give her one little peek into heaven,
Is all I’m asking for today.
She just want to know how he’s doing,
a mother always wants to know.
And heaven seems so far away.
Is he fishing through the clouds with angels?
Is he laughing and running today?
Is he looking down at us hoping for smiles?
I guess only he knows.
Oh why does heaven seem so far away?
If you just let her look for a moment,
To catch a glimpse of his sweet smiling face,
I promise she won’t try to take him away,
She know, he’s in a better place today.
Please just give her one little peek into heaven,
Is all I’m asking for today.
She just wants to know how he’s doing,
a mother always wants to know.
And heaven seems so far away…
Michele, tears rolled down my cheeks that day from the sadness I felt for you and your family. Be proud how you handled this most awful event that touched so many. Feel proud that you never gave up and how you brought so many people together with a common goal to bring closure to your family. The silver lining for me was to meet you and your family and all the others that walked over to give help and the friends I gained that weekend. I will never forget that day nor will I ever forget Graham.
David, we are ever grateful to you! The support, witnessing, loving and expert wisdom! I love this poem, thank you for your heartfelt expressions!!! Just love it!
\
David, your support, expertise, and love meant more than you know. I LOVE this poem, so grateful for your expression!
Michelle,
I am so sorry and will pray without ceasing for all of you. May God give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Thank you long time friend. Prayers are powerful.
Dear Family, and loved ones, our hearts ache with yours on the loss of your handsome Son. I was walking at Blue Herron last Sunday and met your Sister. I hope you all support each other and celebrate your Son’s life , as he sounds like someone I wish I had met. I will stop and pray for your Graham on my walks in the park. I left him flowers already at the park. He is now an Angel and a beautiful bright star in the night sky. You are all in our prayers, especially you Michele. As a Mother myself, l sincerely freely your pain. Many cyber hugs to each of you. God Bless.
The Banks Family
Thanks so very much, Carol. Meeting up with you by chance, I guess it was last weekend, as time escapes me, has been a huge part of my healing process. You shared some of your families pain and ways to process it with me during that chance meeting we had at what I call the point at blue Heron Lake. I will pray for you and your family and thank you for your prayers for Graham, my sister Michele, And her children, Jacob and Amelie. God bless us all
Oh by the way, my name is Stephanie, but you can call me Louisie 🙂
So grateful to hear this! My sister had told me of your kindness, Carol. I look forward to getting the bench donated so that many in the neighborhood can stop– pause and ponder as Graham often did, and enjoy God’s creation. With gratitude!
Carol, so grateful for your words. My sister shared your meeting with me. I hope that the bench we get dedicated will bring moments to pause and ponder as Graham loved to do. Prayers are powerful, I appreciate them so much!!
My thoughts are with you and your family! ❤️
So grateful, it is powerful!
Sending hope and love to you all during this time..
Love is powerful, thank you!!!
Michele,
Cannot imagine the magnitude of your loss dear friend…just seeing Graham’s handsome face on your Facebook page, and reading the obituary brought tears. Bob and I are so sorry..well, words cannot convey how we feel . Please accept our condolences and know our thoughts and prayers are for you and Amelie and Jacob during this time of grief.
Always call me whenever you wish.
Love,
Dale
So grateful, Dale and Bob, prayers are powerful!
Michele, Amelie, and Jacob, we continue to think of you and send our love. May you find comfort in knowing that your kind, gentle, and sensitive Graham is at peace. Clearly he will be missed by many.
So grateful to you all Janet. The prayers and support of your family has helped to hold us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
That precious little boy so loved by many will be fondly remembered. Sending a big hug and love
Lois and Kenneth Boagz and family
Dear Michele and family,
Liz and I were so saddened to read about Graham in this morning’s paper. We still remember all of you from Vic’s in the morning. Sending you best wishes for peace and healing.
Love and hugs to you,
Stephanie
Thank you Stephanie and Liz. So grateful. Prayers and love are powerful.
I am so sorry. What a charming young man he must have been. His eyes say so much. I am sure he is greatly missed.
thank you Sue. Yes, his eyes spoke volumes. Thank you for your kind words.
Dearest Michele and family,
My heart is heavy for you. I can only imagine the devastation and grief you are feeling. Consider yourself hugged and loved.
Thank you sweet Alissa. Love and prayers mean the world
Michelle and family:
So sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you and your family. He will not be forgotten by strangers who only saw his smiling face through your post. I will think of him every time I walk around the park.
Thank you Lori, so sweet to here!
Michele,
I wish I could be there with you, in our favorite coffee shop on a Thursday morning before school, so I could give you a huge hug and feel your strength. You are an amazing mom and we all can see that every day. Like you said, Graham is at peace now and though with his loss, we are not, I’m comforted that he is.
Love you Michele.
Suzanne your heart and love are right here with me and I feel it all powerfully!
Michele,
I am so sorry to hear the news about Graham! Your care, concern and love for him over the years was a true blessing to him – a mother’s heart. I will continue to pray for you and your family during this difficult time – that God will tightly wrap His loving arms around you and bring you peace and healing! Sending love to you…. Lisa Goodman
Lisa, your prayers and the love of all our BVCC Prayer warriors is felt tremendously!!!
Michele,
I’m truly sorry for your loss and I’m heartbroken for your family. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling and I hope you take care of yourself.
You and your family are in my thoughts.
Jodi, thank you so much for your kind words. Prayers and Love are holding us up, truly! Means a LOT!
Oh, Michelle. I don’t even know what to say. I am thinking of you and hoping you have a circle of people around you to support you through this devastating time. I will be praying for you and your family.
Sherry, thank you so much for your kind words. Prayers and Love are powerful and, truly, holding us up! So grateful.
Dear Michele, I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you are able to find some peace. Much love to you and yours.
Jennifer
Thank you Jen, thoughts and prayers and love are powerful– truly holding us up!
Michele, I don’t know what to say. I know you must be broken-hearted. Michele, you are such a warm, kind, loving person! You have always given strength and love to all of us, and everyone you encounter! May we now be there for you.
TZ your love and prayers are kind words are so deeply appreciated! Prayers and love are holding us up! You know the gaping hole in the heart, I know. So appreciative!
Michele, Amelie, and Jacob,
I can only imagine how great the hole in your hearts must be. I pray that God grants you solace and peace.
Michele- I am so sorry for your loss. The Doering Family’s thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kim, thank you so much. I am so grateful for my Lyons’ family’s love and support. The prayers and lover are true holding us up.
Grateful!
I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Thank you so much Tenica! Prayers and Love are holding us up!
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so difficult to find words to express what you and your Family are going through. My thoughts , support and prayers are with you all.
Doc, thank you so much. Prayers and love are truly holding us up!
Dearest Michele,
My thoughts are with you and your family. We’ve had a candle lit on our mantel in honor of Graham- may his light and love continue to shine brightly through others. Sending blessings and much peace to you and your family.
Thank you sweet Christa. His light and love ARE shining bright, even amidst the heartbreak and tears. So grateful for the love and prayers as this is truly holding us up!
Michelle and Family,
I hope you feel my love wrapping around each of you at this tender time of loss. I know how much Graham was loved and how tremendously he will be missed by so many people. He now rests in peace and your memories will always keep him alive in your heart and minds. I am keeping all of you in my prayers and close to my heart.
Thank you so much, Dear Claudia. Amen.