It was a solemn gathering at Scoville Park on Monday night, where hundreds of friends, family and neighbors turned out for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Gillian Lundgren.
But friends and former teachers of Lundgren also shared happy stories about the 15-year-old OPRF High School sophomore who died by suicide on July 21.
Longfellow Elementary School Principal Angela Dolezal, who knew Lundgren in fourth and fifth grade, said words fail in trying to come to terms with the loss of her former student.
“There is a great sadness and grief at the loss we are all feeling, and as we begin to move towards a new normal, towards some type of healing, it will be important to celebrate Gillian’s life,” she said.
Dolezal quoted author Joseph Alvaro. “In his book, Alvaro states: ‘What defines the ones we have lost is all the years they spent touching the lives of those they encountered.’ And Gillian definitely touched so many lives in her 15 years on earth. Look around. The size of this vigil shows the number of people who cared about Gillian and her family.”
She described Lundgren as a kind spirit who was always there to help other students – one in particular that was near and dear to Dolezal’s heart, she said.
“This student in middle school was in pain, a pain of her own, and Gillian noticed,” she said. “Gillian took her aside, devoted time to her and talked with her and reminded her of the many great traits that she possessed. Gillian was there for her when this student really needed a friend. It is stories like these that I want to encourage each and every one of you to tell.”
David Benson, who coached Lundgren for several years in track at Percy Julian Middle School, also spoke to Lundgren’s “indelible spirit” and eagerness to help others.
“We know she gave back,” he said. “She reached back and took people under her wing, and I was amazed how often that was said.”
Benson encouraged young people at the vigil to be a friend to others.
“Friendship is free,” he said. “It’s easy. (Gillian) did it with such ease, and I would encourage you all looking forward to be kind, to be a friend.”
It has been a week and a half of mourning in Oak Park, and administrators at Oak Park and River Forest High School have offered grief support counseling for students, faculty and staff.
“Seek help if your child or teenager seems to be having a difficult time managing ‘day-to-day life.’ Ask a relative, friend, minister, or your high school counselor to support your child,” the school wrote in a letter to parents last week.
Lundgren’s death also prompted an online fundraiser through gofundme.com for the Lundgren family, which has raised almost $24,000.
“Gillian will always be remembered as the kind-hearted, outgoing girl she always appeared to be in the hallways and classrooms of OPRF,” the online fundraiser states. “Together, the juniors and seniors of the leadership/launch class have put together this gofundme, where all proceeds will go to the Lundgren Family while they go through this difficult time.”
The online fundraiser is available at https://www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-gillian-lundgren.
CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com