On May 9, Linda Holden, age 51, of Underhill, died suddenly from a brain tumor. Her death shocked and saddened family, friends, and members of the Barony of All Vermont, a predominantly gay fundraising organization that is part of a nationwide Court system. The following remembrances came from her son, Michael Holden ("Autumn" in the Barony), and Kris Rowley ("Baron I Kristoff").

     "Ariel was one of those Moms that every gay child wants to have. Even though she didn't understand my lifestyle at first, she accepted me with open arms. She loved me for who I was, her son.
     "In 1999 Ariel was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She fought it bravely and seemed to have won the battle. In February of 2004 we found that the cancer wasn't beaten. It had spread to her leg, and in April we found out that it had spread to her brain. She fought the cancer with everything she had, but in the end it was too much for her. When her time was up, she left peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, friends, and other loved ones." - Autumn (Michael Holden)

     "Ariel was full of surprises. She was raised on a farm here in Vermont. She led a simple life. She married her childhood sweetheart, Kendal, 35 years ago, raised her son and daughter, and was a member of the Grange and the American Legion. The meaning of GBLT was totally foreign to her.
     "When her son, Michael, came out, Ariel loved him for who he is, not what he is. She was like that with everyone. Ariel joined the Barony of All Vermont to support Michael (Autumn), but it became much more than that for her. She made her own friends and found her own place in our organization. But she did not judge.
     "She had so much fun with everyone and really loved and cared about so many people. She got to experience her first strip show, got drunk with us for the first time in many years, and simply cut loose. Not only did she learn to break down her own preconceived barriers within the Imperial Court System, but we also learned not to judge a book by its cover where she was concerned! So much for the simple farm girl from Vermont!
     "The theme of Ariel's reign was Music, Love, and Laughter and she lived it every day. She gave love and received love. Her laugh was infectious. She filled the hearts of her friends with music. She was a very special lady and will be missed by so many people. We are honored to have had her as our Baroness and our friend. I know that I will miss her very much." - Baron I, Kristoff, Barony of All Vermont
     The May 22 Barony event in Brattleboro that was to have been a surprise in Ariel’s honor became a memorial to her life and brief reign in the Barony of All Vermont.