Enduring Loss by NPR

They were the first ones on the dance floor, the first in their families to immigrate to the United States, the first to lend a helping hand or words of support. Grandma, Pop Pop, Butterfly, Coach, Tio, Bubbles — they are just a few of the hundreds of thousands of people who have died of COVID-19 in the United States. Their loved ones have been sharing stories since the start of the pandemic with NPR and NPR member stations. Now, as the U.S. death rate continues to decline and vaccinations offer hope of a post-pandemic life, we continue to remember those we’ve lost. This remembrance project features over 225 of their stories — poignant tales of big hearts, irreverent streaks, dad jokes and bingo, of richly diverse lives lived in every corner of the country. This project aggregates personal stories from NPR and across our network, presenting them in a manner that encourages users to pause and reflect on these losses.