Thursday, March 7, 2013
Malcolm Astley and Mary Dunne focused on ending future violence against women in their statement after the sentencing of the man convicted in their daughter, Lauren Astley's, murder.
Malcolm Astley and Mary Dunne were composed and looking forward as they addressed reporters Thursday afternoon at the Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. Just hours after learning that Nathaniel Fujita had been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of their daughter, Lauren Astley, Malcolm Astley and Dunne focused on future actions rather than the past. Saying that Lauren Astley's family experienced "immense grief and outrage at the loss of Lauren's sparkle," Malcolm Astley, speaking for he and Dunne, went on to say that they are "appalled at the similar murders of so many women in supposedly loving relationships." The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund is dedicated to ending that violence in dating and domestic relationships, …
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Author Kelly Jenkins Lin set out to create a book full of joy and hope. In spite of tragedy, "Mr. Astley's Blueberries" still rings true to that goal.
Kelly Jenkins Lin set out to write a children’s book about a Wayland blueberry business four years ago. The book at last made it to print this fall, but so much has changed in those four short years. “Mr. Astley’s Blueberries,” written by Jenkins and illustrated by Washington D.C.-based artist Samantha Lane Fiddy, tells the story of Malcolm Astley’s blueberry business that burst from the dozens of blueberry bushes behind his Wayland home. Perhaps more importantly, it tells the story of how Astley and his daughter, Lauren Dunne Astley, worked together in the business and the story highlights, as Malcolm Astley puts it, “The glory of … parents and kids taking on good challenges together.” Lin met Malcolm Astley years ago on the sidelines …
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Three Waylanders wanted to raise money for the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund and a fashion show seemed appropriate.
Fashion will find a home at Sandy Burr Country Club on Nov. 26 when weeks of work hit the runway for the Keep on Sparkling: Moving Forward in the Spirit of Lauren Dunne Astley fashion show and fundraiser. In September, friends Crista Oppenheim, Alison Stowell and Angela Zachery were talking about the possibility of an event fundraiser for the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund. The fund was established “to promote dynamic educational programs, particularly those in the areas of the development of healthy teen relationships, the arts and community service” after Astley’s death in July. Stowell said the friends honed in on Astley’s love of fashion and decided a fashion show would be an appropriate way to honor her memory. They ran the idea …
