Many gather at vigil to remember Kristy Taaffe of Struthers

July 5, 2016 at 11:06p.m.

STRUTHERS

If you fuse a zest for life, love for family and friends, a desire to reach beyond oneself, determination to achieve goals and set new ones, a talent for photography and a love of dancing, you have the essence of Kristy Taaffe, many people who knew and loved her say.

“She poured her best into everything she did. She is someone you cannot replace,” said Lyndsey West, a Struthers Elementary School kindergarten teacher and PTA member.

West was among dozens of people who spoke at a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening at the school on Ninth Street to honor Taaffe, who died unexpectedly Sunday. She was 38.

The Mahoning County Coroner’s office is investigating the death and the results are pending.

Hundreds of family members, relatives, friends, co-workers, former teachers and others gathered for the deeply emotional one-hour vigil to remember Taaffe, who served on the Struthers PTA and co-owned Limelight-Images Photography of Struthers.

“These have been an unbelievably hard couple of days, but we have a strong family,” said Kristy’s husband, Jimmy.

Numerous family members and others spoke on behalf of Taaffe, as several colorful balloons were released, including her daughters, Gianna, 9, and Mickayla, 10.