• Contact Us
  • Events calendar
Entering Swellesley
Pinnacle, Wellesley

The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

  • Advertise
  • Business index
  • Contribute
  • Wellesley Square
  • Private schools
  • Camp
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Top 10 things to do
  • Embracing diversity
  • Kids
  • About us
  • Events
  • Natick Report
  • COVID-19
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Athlete of the Week
  • Seniors
Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley mourns Olivia Wigon, marine science student & WHS 2016 grad

June 8, 2019 by Deborah Brown 5 Comments

Olivia Wigon, WellesleyOlivia “Livi” Wigon, Wellesley High School Class of 2016, passed away on Wednesday, June 5. At the time of her death she was on summer break from the University of Miami, where she double majored in Marine Affairs and Human and Social Development. Her lifelong curious spirit took her from the WHS Evolutions program to The Island School, Eleuthera, The Bahamas; to Israel, and beyond.

Olivia leaves her parents, Timothy and Jennifer (Hanlon) Wigon; her sister, Dorothy (WHS, Class of 2014); her brother, Sam (WHS, Class of 2019); and many friends and relatives both close to home and around the world.

The cause of death was suicide. The family wanted to share this information with the community as a step toward de-stigmatizing depression and its sometimes tragic outcomes. Jennifer Wigon said, “We especially want our community to know that Livi battled depression, and suicide was the awful, tragic result, but not an inevitable one. We had hope, and others should, too. There are resources. It just seems so many kids are suffering.”

A memorial service will be held at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Rd., Wellesley, on Monday, June 10, 2019, 2pm. Immediately following, the family will observe shiva at Temple Beth Elohim until 4:30pm. Shiva will continue at the Wigon home on Monday and Tuesday, June 10 and 11, 7pm – 9pm. Burial will be private.

Donations may be sent in Olivia’s name to the Shark Research & Conservation Program at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

For us here at Swellesley, this tragedy is personal. We stand with our dear friends and bear witness to a heartbreak that is impossible to comprehend. Our deepest condolences to the Wigon family.

Mental Health Resources

Wellesley High School, available supports

Town of Wellesley, Community Social Worker, Health Department

Town of Wellesley, mental health resources page, an overview

Important phone numbers and other information on local mental health resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website and hotline number 800-273-8255

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Centers for Disease Control

Principal Jamie Chisum in a letter to the community enclosed a document entitled, “Helping Students Cope with Tragic Loss”, co-written by Dr.’s Rob Evans and Mark Kline from Human Relations Service here in town noting that, “It is an excellent tool for all of us to read through as we support our children.” Here is a link to the document. Chisum also encourages all families to reach out to the school “if there are additional ways we can help your kids.”

print

Share

Filed Under: Health, Obituaries & remembrances, Safety

Comments

  1. Christopher Sci says

    June 9, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for helping to get the word out about mental health and depression. Olivia’s spirit will live on, thanks to your bravery sharing this message, by helping others with the same challenges to overcome them.

    Reply
  2. Antoinette Falzone says

    June 9, 2019 at 7:38 pm

    I’m so deeply sorry for the loss of your beautiful, precious Oliva.

    I’m a stranger to you, but yet understand personally the depth, breath of pain your family suffers .

    My 23 yr. old son Ariel, took his own life 5 years ago.

    Olivia’s obituary came through my local news feed.

    I greatly appreciate your candor re. Olivia’s tragic cause of death

    Lighting a candle tonight in remembrance of Oliva…I’m so sorry .

    Reply
  3. Sigrid says

    June 18, 2019 at 1:59 pm

    Heart breaking news of your precious daughter. Thank you for sharing with the community her cause of death. So many young people struggle with depression. Olivia’s story might help others find help.
    I didn’t know Olivia. But I have fond memories of what a close loving family you are. She was truly a generous inspiring young woman.

    Reply
  4. Karen says

    June 19, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    Hello, we have the exact same tragedy. Our 15-year-old daughter on the exact day, 2014. We are also Jewish. I heard about your beautiful girl from a friend whose niece goes to school in Wellesley. My name is Karen, and I live near Columbus, Ohio. My email is: [email protected]

    Reply
    • Deborah Brown says

      June 19, 2019 at 2:23 pm

      Karen, this is absolutely hearbreaking to hear. We are so sorry for your loss. The Boston Globe today published a very well-researched story about suicide and its tragic upward trajectory among young people during 2000 – 2017. The increase is staggering, and we are grateful to the Globe for shining a light on this horrifying reality.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Linden Square, Wellesley
Dedham Country Day School
Wonderful Wellesley, see what's new

Tip us off…

Please send tips, photos, ideas to [email protected]

 

Advertisements

Wellesley Square
Wellesley, Jesamondo
Edge on Science
Sexton test prep
Feldman Law
Fay School, Southborough
Wellesley Theatre Project
Volvo
Cheesy Street Grill
Admit Fit, Wellesley
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Never miss a post with our free daily Swellesley Report email
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide

You can subscribe for free, though we appreciate any contribution that supports our independent journalism.

Click on Entering Natick sign to read our Natick Report

Entering Natick road sign

Most Read Posts

  • Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley's Brook Path
  • One final Hunnewell clap-out & shouts of "Judie! Judie! Judie!" for beloved crossing guard
  • Bench near Wellesley High honors Tom Zinck
  • Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise 'Parking, parking, parking' concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • The Wellesley aqueduct bathrooms at Hunnewell Field have landed

Upcoming Events

Jun 28
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Fay School admission information session

Jun 28
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wellesley affordable housing rental units meeting

Jul 6
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Open House at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network

Jul 16
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Wellesley Square July Jubilation Sidewalk Sale

Jul 19
8:00 am - 9:00 am

Fay School admission information session

View Calendar

Popular pages

  • Wellesley’s 7 official scenic roads

Recent Comments

  • J on Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley’s Brook Path
  • Donna on Wellesley public works taking fresh look at RDF give-and-take area
  • Bubba on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • Branden on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • Local on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up

Links we like

  • Great Runs
  • Jack Sanford: Wellesley's Major League Baseball Star
  • Taquitos.net
  • Tech-Tamer
  • The Wellesley Wine Press
  • Universal Hub
  • Wellesley Sports Discussion Facebook Group

Categories

  • 2021 Town Election (24)
  • Animals (416)
  • Antiques (49)
  • Art (576)
  • Beyond Wellesley (47)
  • Books (365)
  • Business (1,501)
  • Camp (11)
  • Careers/jobs (48)
  • Churches (79)
  • Clubs (228)
  • Construction (295)
  • Dump (127)
  • Education (3,108)
    • Babson College (250)
    • Bates Elementary School (16)
    • Dana Hall School (34)
    • Fiske Elementary School (9)
    • Hardy Elementary School (44)
    • Hunnewell Elementary School (42)
    • MassBay (55)
    • Schofield Elementary School (24)
    • Sprague Elementary School (19)
    • St. John School (2)
    • Tenacre Country Day School (11)
    • Upham Elementary School (35)
    • Wellesley College (608)
    • Wellesley High School (961)
    • Wellesley Middle School (203)
  • Embracing diversity (69)
  • Entertainment (786)
  • Environment (749)
  • Fashion (141)
  • Finance (14)
  • Fire (162)
  • Food (342)
  • Fundraising (612)
  • Gardens (157)
  • Government (556)
    • 2020 Town Election (47)
    • 2022 Town Election (14)
  • Health (850)
    • COVID-19 (200)
  • Hikes (3)
  • History (388)
  • Holidays (405)
  • Houses (154)
  • Humor (47)
  • Kids (849)
  • Law (8)
  • Legal notices (6)
  • Letters to the Editor (62)
  • Media (70)
  • METCO (4)
  • Military (11)
  • Morses Pond (108)
  • Music (568)
  • Natick Report (29)
  • Neighbors (273)
  • Obituaries & remembrances (73)
  • Outdoors (642)
  • Parenting (62)
  • Police (757)
    • Crime (386)
  • Politics (551)
  • POPS Senior Profile (8)
  • RDF (6)
  • Real estate (331)
  • Religion (131)
  • Restaurants (332)
  • Safety (150)
  • Scouts (2)
  • Seniors (120)
  • Shopping (143)
  • Sponsored (6)
  • Sports (980)
    • Athlete of the Week (6)
  • STEM (107)
  • Technology (164)
  • Theatre (392)
  • Town Meeting (23)
  • Transportation (230)
  • Travel (17)
  • Uncategorized (1,230)
  • Volunteering (346)
  • Weather (177)
  • Wellesley Election 2019 (21)
  • Wellesley Free Library (276)
  • Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend (19)
RSS Feed Icon Subscribe to RSS Feed
Deland, Gibson Insurance, Wellesley

© 2022 The Swellesley Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login