Emotions ran high as family and friends gathered at on Thursday night at the in Babylon to remember the Lindenhurst teen killed in Sunday night's car crash on Montauk Highway.
Remembering Brittney
Hundreds of people came to pay their respects during the two days she was waked at the funeral home, according to her family.
The line from the first night to offer condolences and pray in front of the closed casket decorated with her framed photo, a signed blue and yellow soccer ball, a white teddy bear and small stuffed monkey at the front of the room trailed down the funeral home's long driveway, her mother, Cheryl said.
She was obviously saddened, but also touched by the amount of people who showed up for her daughter, who was heading to York College in the Fall to study sports management.
"So many people came out for her. They're here for her," she said, remembering her daughter as a go-getter and someone who loved sports.
She also remarked about the irony of her daughter's death: "She never drank. My kids know not to drink. I don't drink. I'm so against drunk driving. And she gets killed by a ."
To help her and her family through the grief, the room was just as packed on Thursday as the night before.
It was filled with family, fellow classmates with whom she graduated from Copiague High School last Friday night, teammates from track and soccer, and members of the community and of the congregation at in Lindenhurst.
One mourner told another: "There are no words that could be put to this."
Her Service
The service, led by the church's pastor, Lee Gangaware, began with prayer, and he recalled her as a "warm and happy" girl.
"We gather here tonight to celebrate the short life of Brittney," he said, asking in prayer that they all might be able to find some comfort and hope in this tragic loss.
He talked about her faith, and the fact she was always willing to help others, and how she enjoyed her time at the church's camp on Shelter Island when she was making her Confirmation in 2008.
"I asked Cheryl if she wanted the banner her Confirmation class had created, and so we brought it here to remember happy things," he said, noting Brittney had a hand in designing it. Displayed prominently at the front of the room, it depicted a serene beach scene.
He also referenced the faith statement she wrote for her Confirmation that was passed out to mourners, which showed "how she was feeling as a teenager." On the back a favorite hymn of hers, Jesus Loves Me, was printed.
They sang a verse of that and of the song God Is Awesome, another favorite of Brittney's that was also passed out.
"She was a caring, helping person, always willing to pitch in, whether it was with raking leaves or fundraising or in service clubs. She was a caring, young person who lived among us. She lived on the happy side of life, and wanted us to join her there," Pastor Lee said.
"The hundreds who've come out to remember her tell us she succeeded in being a good, happy girl, and in touching all of these lives. For that we remember her, and for her great love of her mother, father and brother," he continued.
Memorial Fund
He also referenced the memorial fund set up in her honor, asking that everyone help support the Walsh family by supporting The Brittney Walsh Memorial Fund - fliers for which with her picture from graduation lay out on tables along with memorial prayer cards.
(See also the accompanying image for more details.)
He concluded the service by asking everyone to be sure to make this world a better place, just as Brittney had.
Brittney Walsh was laid to rest in Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst on Friday.
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