"To be a martyr in the fight against domestic violence is certainly not  something Crystal Brame intended..." 

'I Love My Mom So Much And She Loved Me'
KOMO4 News
May 10, 2003 at 5:28 PM PDT
Updated: Aug 31, 2006
By Kevin Reece

To be a martyr in the fight against domestic violence is certainly not  something Crystal Brame intended.

As she was laid to rest on the day before Mother's day, that is  exactly what she is becoming.

"The unspeakable way that Crystal was taken from us has left a hole  with nothing in it's place but pain and frustration. It's a living  nightmare we can't wake from," says Brad Chatfield.

Hundreds attended Crystal Brame's funeral Saturday, sharing in that  nightmare.

But the two who had lost the most sat quietly in the front row;  Crystal's 8-year-old daughter Hailey, and 5-year-old son David Jr.

At times the pastor spoke directly to them.

"She loved being their mom," said Pastor Mark Tonne from Chapel Hill  Presbyterian Church. "She was a great mom, wasn't she? Yes, she was  the best."

Hailey Brame offered her own tribute in an essay read by the Pierce  County Sheriff's Department Chaplain. "She was the best mom in the  whole world, she never treated me or little David mean. She always  treated me and little David nice. Her priority was me and little  David. I love my mom so much and she loved me, " Hailey wrote.

A video tribute showed Crystal Brame the ballet dancer, the woman  fluent in French and American Sign Language, the woman who  volunteered at her children's schools and always gave of herself.

In her death several wondered if Crystal could give of herself  again.

"If this casket is not a wake up call about how quickly violence can  spin out of control then you cannot be awakened. To the angry  violent person, this moment cries out 'get some help now before it  is too late.' "

In the nightmare of these past 2 weeks this is what her family  clings to now - that Crystal will live on through her children and  through the rest of us fighting domestic violence together.

"We can spread the word far and wide about the anguish Crystal  suffered. We can convey the message to those who are still suffering  in silence that they are not alone. And we can help prevent this  tragedy from ever happening again. That would be Crystal's greatest  legacy," says Chatfield.

Just an hour after her funeral ended, several hundred domestic  violence advocates and victims gathered in Tacoma's wright park in  Crystal's honor.

They want to encourage everyone to fight domestic violence in  Crystal's name. They ask people don't ignore it, get involved  because you truly could save someone's life.  

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