Remembering Mary Loomer Trujillo

Savannah was able to wipe away the tears to provide us with this wonderful eulogy for Mary Loomer Trujillo. She was more than a friend, she was one of the Horror Community’s biggest fans.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, Mary Loomer Trujillo left behind a world of pain and suffering to go back to the light from whence she came. Make no mistake—to know Mary was to know the best kind of chaos the world has to offer. She was a force to be reckoned with, unbridled joy carried by an easy smile and the most contagious laugh the world has ever known. And oh my gosh, the hugs. The best hugs in the world. Hugging Mary felt like coming home to something you didn’t even know you were missing. I’ll always remember her beaming at her daughter, Jasmine, during horror trivia at Books & Brews 2, pitcher of beer in hand, laughter booming through the lobby. Although, she insisted it was just a mug.

No words, no matter how eloquent, could ever sum up the incredible woman Mary was. She was a wife, a mother, a friend to all. She never tried to be the center of attention, but that didn’t stop it from happening. She was so unapologetically herself, people couldn’t help but stop and notice. She was a reader, and an avid lover of indie horror. At events, you could always find her rocking a t-shirt from one of her favorite authors, ready to strike one of her incredible photo-worthy poses at the drop of a hat or offer one of her hugs. Mary was love, light, and laughter personified. Personally, I’d like to think she’s watching over us with some badass metal wings, rocking out with a pitcher of beer and her Jay Bower shirt.

In the words of our very own Jyl Glenn, who spearheaded Mary’s GoFundMe and helped guide her through the world of medical bullshittery so eloquently stated, “There are never enough words. Not enough words to describe the grief…and definitely not enough words for the kind of person Mary was, or the space she leaves behind.” This is the same woman who, in the wake of her diagnosis, designed a tattoo for her friend Paige French, affectionately nicknamed by Mary as Donny Poppins, so they could never be separated from one another. Mary did nothing but think of others, and how to make their lives better as her own slipped away.

Tricycle, I mean Trevor Woods, (err…Michael Stone?) talked about Mary’s effect on her friends and on the authors of the indie community beautifully (and damn him for doing so). “The best we can hope for during our short time on Earth is a little happiness, a loving family, and the pursuit of meaning. But if we can leave something behind that is both eternal and good…man, what an accomplishment. Mary brought [the words of authors] to life in a way we could never accomplish on our own. I hope her passing encourages authors to reflect on the meaning readers bring to our work. Every word read, every tear shed, every page turned, and every smile shared transforms our finite lives into something resembling eternal.”

So leave out a book, grab a beer (or a root beer float), and raise your glass. Let the tears fall. Tell your friends and family you love them, and hug them just a little bit tighter if you can. Mary, you were so many things to so many people. Rest easy now.

With all the love in the world and then some,

Your Benevolent Penguin Queen

XOXO- Savannah

Savannah R. Fischer is the permanently exhausted pigeon in charge of two well-loved chaos gremlins. When not with her family, she can usually be found in her cave, wrapped in an oversized blanket and dreaming of spinach puffs. She wants to show her gremlins that they can do hard things, even when it’s scary, like pulling the wrong lever and ending up in a pit of alligators. No llamas were harmed in the making of her works of horror.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.