A shade tree for Brandon Slattery next to a bench for Amy Damon is the goal of a memorial fund through Madison College.

Slattery, 24, and Damon, 21, were found dead in a burning vehicle in McFarland early on New Year’s Day this year. The cause of death was ruled as smoke inhalation.

Becky Zarling, classmate and friend of Damon, said the memorial is a wonderful sentiment to how much they were loved and a testament to their life together and love for each other.

“Amy and Brandon’s love for each other was truly a love that many of us hope to find,” Zarling said.

Damon was adored by friends and classmates. She had a positive attitude that affected everyone.

“As a classmate, Amy kept us all pretty grounded when the pressures of the nursing program and our lives really seemed to be spiraling out of control,” Zarling said. “I know that I’m a better person for having known Amy.”

Slattery was a graduate of the Automotive Technician program and Damon was a graduate of the Nursing program at Madison College. The engaged couple’s families told Zarling how both of them loved attending the school. Slattery liked the hands-on experience and Damon like the intimacy of the smaller classes.