Inside the University of Florida’s Reitz Union Monday night, a piano played, “Amazing Grace” was sang, and later, a candle procession outside went from the building towards UF Food Pantry, where Abby Dougherty volunteered.
All the while, family and friends cried, hugged and sometimes laughed over the ceremony of virtually couple of hours that reflected on Dougherty’s life, which led to an Oct. 28 bicycle accident in Gainesville. She was four days shy of her 21st birthday.
There are three take-aways from Dougherty’s life, said Ambre Hobson, assistant director of student success in UF’s Dean of Students Office: prioritize and work out time for adventures, laugh them back, and see your passion.
“Abby was always seeking tips on how to increase the risk for world a greater place,” Hobson said.
Hobson was one of many UF employees who joined close friends in discussing Dougherty for the ceremony, which created over 150 individuals in the Reitz Union’s Rion Ballroom.
Erin Park, Dougherty’s roommate of a couple of years, wiped tears from her face throughout her full speech. Park said she and Dougherty were opposites on every thing.
But “one thing we’re able to always choose were sunsets,” she said.
Dougherty’s aunt, Rosanne Cicanese, said she remembers taking Dougherty to her first Gator football game and how her niece embraced their trip Africa over the summer.
“Love simply a little bit deeper for Abby,” she believed the audience.
After hanging out for an undeclared student at UF, Dougherty settled upon applied physiology and kinesiology.
She incorporated her adoration for your body into the yoga classes she taught on campus through UF Rec Sports.
“Abby brought lots of light to numerous folks,” said David Parrott, vice president of UF’s Student Affairs, who spoke for the university. “We will help keep her spirit around.”
The memorial started with a movie montage of Dougherty’s life. It highlighted her passion for the Gators, her family and her time in Africa.
Josie Ahlgren, Dougherty’s anatomy and physiology professor at UF, said she was obviously a bright student by using a desire for the primary.
“I tell my students that sometimes there won’t be any answers,” Ahlgren said. “Obviously, there is no earthly clue why Abby was obtained from us so early.”
Friends who attended her yoga classes said she always put her heart into teaching and incredibly tried to embrace the philosophy of yoga.
“Yoga ‘s what you create it, and for Abby, that has been laughing while teaching,” said Kira Ben-Hamo, a group-fitness instructor for UF Rec Sports.
Those who spoke said Dougherty were built with a contagious laugh, and she could be seen using a smile to be with her face.
“Abby laughed through it all,” said Chris Bell, a UF student and an affiliate the bunch Campus Diplomats.
Also an affiliate Campus Diplomats, Dougherty found her primary passion throughout the organization: making use of the UF Food Pantry, which supplies food for college kids in need of assistance.
“She wholeheartedly thought every Gator counts,” said Alisa Fundora, a fellow campus diplomat.
Co-workers on the pantry declared that no matter what time, Dougherty would usually be there which has a coffee on hand.
“Little did I know how much she would bring about the pantry family,” said Christina Samper, a UF Food Pantry co-worker.
Once every one of the speakers finished, Joshua Pearsaul, a UF soloist, sang “Amazing Grace.” Relatives and buddies then proceeded for the Reitz Union North Lawn for the candlelight processional to your Food Pantry.
In lieu of flowers, the Dougherty family asked those meals donations become towards the pantry.
“She moved into my life and stuck me,” Ditty Mahadevan, a very close friend, said because held back tears. “You are truly my angel, Abby.”
