At St. Mary’s church in Milford, where the Gray family has deep roots, the community came together Tuesday night to honor the 19-year-old killed in a devastating car crash.
“You’d want your daughter to be like Jackie,” said Earl Wagner, the church’s youth leader. “She was that special.”
Jackie Gray was a Freshman at Quinnipiac University, on the dean’s list and a cheerleader for the hockey team.
She grew up in Milford, where she’s remembered as an outstanding student, a role model, and a long-time dancer.
At Milford High, where she was a recent graduate, former classmates also came together Tuesday evening for a silent vigil to honor their friend.
Jackie’s mother, father, and brother attended both vigils.
Sandra Gray, Jackie’s mother, urged the crowd to remember Jackie as a role model.
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Jackie was killed in a car crash Sunday night.
Six teenagers, including Jackie’s brother, had just left JJ’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Upton.
They were on their way to the Milford fireworks, when the driver tells police she was having problems controlling the car and they crashed.
Everyone survived with minor injuries except Jackie.
“We have to try and be strong,” said Wagner. “Accidents do happen.”
