Memorials
In honor of Katie's memory...
Katie's Butsudan
A butsudan is a small household Buddhist altar shelf found in many Japanese homes and often bears the image of a family member and vessels for offerings or mementos.
We have arranged Katie's altar with a number of special items to honor her memory, including:
- a scented candle
- a Kit Kat candy bar
- an Eight of Hearts playing card
- a silver chain holding a vial of Coronado's coastal waters
- plasticine monkeys huggging, from the top of Steve and Katie's wedding cake
- lavender incense
- an album of wedding photos
- a small portion of Katie's ashes
- Katie's titanium wedding ring
- notes from family and friends
Katie's altar was purchased from Nakayama Butsudans in Portland, OR, which is the only US location for this company.
2024 Celestis 'Enterprise' Memorial Spaceflight
January 8, 2024 - The Vulcan / Centaur CERT-1 vehicle launched successfully at 2:18 AM, EST
View the Current Satellite Position in our Solar System
January 9, 2024 - Celestis, the Texas company that provides space-based memorial services for the families of loved ones is reporting that its Enterprise Flight payload launched on ULAs Vulcan rocket Monday morning is successful and traveling 85 million miles (297 mil km) from Earth into deep space.
Celestis Enterprise Flight will launch from planet Earth and travel beyond the Earth-Moon system, beyond the James Webb telescope, and into interplanetary deep space - where it will join the other planets, moons, comets, and asteroids in our solar system on a never-ending journey through the cosmos.
Upon completion of its powered burn and coast phase, the Enterprise Flight will become Enterprise Station™ and continue on an endless orbit around the sun on a multi-billion miles journey becoming the most distant permanent human repository outpost and a pathfinder for the continuing human exploration of deep space.
DNA and cremated remains are encapsulasted in radiation-resistant titanium capsules. Participants include former astronauts, cast and creators of Star Trek, and four former US Presidents (Washington, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan).
United Launch Alliance (ULA), the launch service provider, announced that the launch of their Vulcan rocket's first mission, that includes the Enterprise Flight. The launch will occur from Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, Florida.
The Enterprise Flight carries the capsule honoring Catherine Moreno Branson and Steven Branson and the lives of 195 other participants from US as well as Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Korea, Japan, New Zealand and UK. Also aboard is the Celestis MindFiles™(archives of messages and photos) and the Celestis DNATM (genetical genome archive) from people all over the world.
The Oregon Tree / Katie's Place
On October 16th, 2021, Katie's ashes were combined with the roots of a Japanese Maple sapling, her favorite species of tree. It was planted in a sunny spot among a family of larger maples by the Kilchis River deep in Tillamook State Forest. This was Katie's favorite place to swim and explore, and we found many beautiful agates and jaspers here.
The occassion was attended by Katie's friends Liz, Louise, Blaine, and Christine, along with Steve and the kids. A marker bearing her name was placed upon a unique rock she found at this place, along with a prayer necklace from her friends.
The California Tree
At a future date, Katie's parents will plant a tree in her memory with her brother Jesse. Photo and GPS co-ordinates available soon.
North Portland Street Mural
A mural depicting a hummingbird was dedicated in Katie's memory on August 23rd, 2021 at the intersection of N Jarrett St and N Concord Ave in Portland.
Steve, Aiyana, Kristin, Liz, Blaine, and the kids all contributed to the finished product.
Celebration of Life - Coronado, CA
On November 26, 2021, friends, family, and associates gathered to remember Katie and celebrate our lives together. Speakers included her Uncle George Murphy, her brother Jesse, her parents Pam and Kim, and her husband Steve. Her father also performed a song her wrote in her honor.
