The news of Mercy High School junior Angela Warzecha's untimely death spread quickly on social media this week as many of the friends of the 16-year-old used the hashtag #ripangie to express their grief and shock.
Friends, acquaintances and others who heard the news posted messages to Angie's Facebook page, whose cover is a photograph of a palm with the words, "smile, beautiful," on it, with touching remembrances of the gifted swimmer who worked as a waitress, was described as a "sweet, beautiful girl," and loved the color orange.
Fellow Mercy and Xavier High School students in Middletown have rallied on Twitter, asking "any attendees of Xavier and/or Mercy sports events this week to wear orange."
- Read her obituary here
Late Monday, friends Tweeted that there will be a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at the Brownstone Quarry in Portland.
Principal Sister Mary McCarthy sent this letter to Mercy parents and guardians on Monday morning about Angela, who was a member of the class of 2014:
By now I am sure that you have heard the sad news that one of our students, Angela Warzecha died last evening.
I know that you will hold in your thoughts and prayers Angela's parents, her brother and her family.
I want to assure you that our crisis team was prepared this morning to help our students. I met with the faculty and staff prior to school starting and then we called all the students to the auditorium at the beginning of their first class. I spoke to them about the tragic loss, informed them what assistance would be available to them and we concluded with prayer [see attached pdf].
Calling hours will be today from 5-8 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, according to Legacy.com. A Memorial Service will be held at Mercy High School Auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at 3 p.m. Donations to a scholarship in Angie's name may be made to Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Rd., Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.
