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Many gather at vigil to remember Kristy Taaffe of Struthers
By Sean Barron
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.
Taaffe’s mother, Janet Bartell of Cornersburg, tearfully read a statement outlining part of the impact Taaffe had on many people, saying the family “will continue to spread her love.”
Bob Noble, one of Taaffe’s teachers, shared a few humorous stories related to having officiated at her wedding.
Other friends expressed appreciation for time they had spent with Taaffe in numerous pursuits, including exercising, jogging and discussing one another’s children and families. A few weren’t shy about mentioning some of her other interests.
“Kristy was a dancer and has danced through our lives,” a longtime friend said.
The mood lightened somewhat when many adults and children danced with one another in her honor to the popular 1979 Earth, Wind & Fire hit “Boogie Wonderland,” which was one of Taaffe’s favorite songs.