Loved ones hold a vigil for ‘a beautiful spirit’
By Jim Haley
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE — They prayed and sang in Spanish. Some spoke in low tones in English.
But it was the international signs of tears and sadness that showed through as the Hispanic community and others mourned a young, bright light that was too soon extinguished.
Hundreds of people from throughout the Puget Sound’s Hispanic community came to pay their respect for 15-year-old Ariana Gallegos. Many others she knew at Marysville-Pilchuck High School also filed through the church for two hours before those gathered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church began to pray the rosary.
Young friends stayed the night in the church with her body, a vigil of love and sorrow.
"They want to be here," explained Stella Martinez, who heads the large Hispanic ministry at St. Mary’s. "They don’t want to leave. Right now we’re just taking the time to be with Ariana."
| You can help
A fund has been established to assist the family of Ariana Gallegos. Contributions can be made to any Washington Mutual Bank branch.
Ariana’s funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 4200 88th St. NE, Marysville. |
They came because Ariana was hit by a car en route to school Tuesday morning. She died early the following day.
Her funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the church, a time that will allow her classmates to attend, Martinez explained.
Not only was it the fact that the school sophomore died, but the way it happened that shocked so many people.
"It was the tragic death she had. No one can believe it," Martinez said. "It shocked the community in the way it happened."
Ariana woke up that morning, dressed, made her bed and left for school.
"She was very neat," Martinez said.
The accident happened almost across the street from her apartment. Ariana’s mother, Carmen Macias, heard the commotion, including a helicopter landing to whisk the seriously injured girl away to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
When she got outside, Ariana had been taken away, but she recognized her daughter’s backpack in the street, and later learned that the car’s driver didn’t stop.
Marysville-Pilchuck principal Peggy Ellis drove her to the hospital, and stayed with her through the day. Up to 50 people at a time occupied a conference room where the family and friends awaited.
A 37-year-old Marysville woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon after she allegedly went to a shop to have her windshield replaced. The woman was being investigated for hit-and-run driving, a felony. She posed $5,000 bail.
No charges have been filed.
It was the second time this year tragedy has struck the high school.
In August, Cory Allen Haynes, 18, and Levi Whiting, 17, were killed when a car in which they were riding left Sunnyside Boulevard in Marysville and rolled over several times. Both had attended Marysville-Pilchuck.
Principal Ellis talked about Ariana being "a beautiful girl with a beautiful spirit."
At the church Sunday night, Martinez said the girl "loved the world. She didn’t hate anything. We should use her as an example of how we live our lives."
While they prayed for Ariana, they also prayed for the driver that stuck her and left.
"We would not be Christian people if we did not have her in our hearts and thoughts," Martinez said.
Ariana came to the United States from Mexico as a small child, and lived in Marysville for four years.
Her open casket bore Mexican and U.S. flags. Martinez said Ariana wanted to someday join the American armed services.
"She wanted to do major things," Martinez said. She wanted to do everything possible. She was precious to us."
You can call Herald Writer Jim Haley at 425-339-3447
or send e-mail to haley@heraldnet.com.
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