Community Corner

Memorial Fund Established for Hannah Patrie

The South Windsor community has rallied around the Patrie family after the passing of a 15-year-old girl.

While facing overwhelming grief, the Patrie family has been astounded by an outpouring of support from the South Windsor community, according to a family member.

Stephen Minguy, the uncle of Hannah Patrie, a 15-year-old high school student who died suddenly on June 29, said in a telephone interview that he was “amazed at the amount of support” from the people in town.

“I am shocked at the support and love from the community,” said Minguy, a Florida resident who is serving as the family’s de facto spokesperson. “I’m blown away.”

Hannah Patrie collapsed during an exercise for her choral/dance camp held at South Windsor High School last Friday. She lost consciousness at the scene and was rushed to Manchester Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Since Hannah’s passing, community members and businesses have rallied around the Patrie family, with monetary and food donations coming in. Supermarkets such as Geissler’s donated food for the grief counseling session that took place at the high school over the weekend.

At the high school, Hannah's friends decorated her locker in tribute to her.

A memorial fund has been established in Hannah’s name, according to Minguy. Those wishing to send contributions may make checks out to The Hannah Patrie Memorial Fund, c/o CAST Children’s Theatre, P.O. Box 1268, Manchester, CT, 06045-1268.

Minguy said that Hannah, who loved to perform and was a member of the South Windsor High dance team as well as the school’s Choral Spectrum club and, for many years, the CAST Children’s Theatre in Manchester, was “walking sunshine.”

“The girl had a 10,000 watt smile,” he said.

Donna Mercier, executive director of CAST who has known the Patrie family for 15 years, agreed with Minguy’s description.

“I’ve known Hannah since she was a young child,” Mercier said. “She was a lovely girl who was always smiling. She was civic minded.

“You could always count on Hannah to help out, especially with the younger children. She was an all-around good kid. She was bright, interested in a lot of different activities. She did charitable work. She was very talented.”

Mercier said that a grief counselor from the Manchester school system was available Monday to talk to the children and staff. Some 20 to 25 kids and adults spoke to the counselor, Mercier said, adding that the counselor would be available again this Friday.

The Patrie family will receive friends at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor on July 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church on July 5 at 10 a.m., at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Road, South Windsor.


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