Brave Lindsey Gill insited on writing her dead sister Kalie Gill a farewell letter that was read at Kalie's funeral mass in Yonkers on Monday.
Despite the fact that she will spend another two months in the hospital recovering from her horrific injuries, Lindsey inissted on being part of her sister's funeral mass.
Family and friends gathered at St Barnabas High School chapel on Monday morning for the funeral of 15-year-old Kalie Gill.
Among those who attended were Irish Consul General Noel Kilkenny and his wife Honora.
The Leitrim teen was killed on October 11 when she and her sister, Lindsey (12), were struck by the runaway car of sixth grade teacher Roseanne Piccirilli (55). Lindsey will remain in hospital for at least two months recovering from her multiple injuries.
At the funeral the girls' older sister Jamie (21) read a letter Lindsey had composed for Kalie. Lindsey regained consciousness two days after Kalie’s death and was informed by her family.
The letter read “When I found out about your death, I tried to cry, but no tears came out.
“I just sat, and looked at the ceiling, and froze — thinking you were looking down and praying for me.”
The letter included reminiscences on good times the two sisters, who were best friends, spent together. She wrote “I love you, and I always thought of you as my best friend, sister. ... I’m sorry I can't make it to your wake and funeral, but I am here trying to survive for you.”
Her older sister Jamie said she was a "proud big sister" to Kalie and would miss her very much.
In lieu of flowers the Gill family asked that donations be made to the Kalie Gill fund, which is being housed by St Barnabas High School where Kalie was a sophomore.
Sister Joan Faraone, the Principal at St Barnabas spoke to IrishCentral after the funeral
“We’re just devastated of course.” She added that being able to help by hosting the fund for Kalie and her family is helping the community.
Sr Joan said “We’re just being the central organization, kids selling bracelets, and taking collections and drop offs. All the money is going off to the rectory and straight into the account. As soon as we have a substantial amount that will go directly to the Gill family.
She added, "The kids at the school have been really great. Everybody needs to feel like they’re doing something in a time where there’s nothing we can do. It’s good to be active.”
To donate to the Kalie Gill Fund “to honor the memory of Kalie Gill and to support the Gill Family during this tragedy” click here. Alternatively send a check to: Sr. Joan Faraone, RJM – Principal,
St. Barnabas High School, 425 East 240th Street, Bronx, NY 10470.
Lindsey, who is in 8th grade at PS19, is said to be in good spirits in hospital despite the extent of injuries and the tragedy that has befallen her family. She will remain in hospital for two months and then continue to rehab. She is expected to make a full recovery.
Here’s LoHud.com’s raw footage from the funeral:
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