Balloon release held for 2-year-old struck, killed by car
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:00 am
ADAMSTOWN — As a sea of balloons drifted away from a county
baseball field on Tuesday, Amy Olsson and her husband, Sten, wept for
their daughter, Frehiwot "Marra" Olsson.
The 2-year-old died Saturday at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she was taken after being struck by a car at Heritage Farm Park in Walkersville.
Devastated by her death, the community has rallied around the family. Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday for a memorial service outside Carroll Manor Elementary School.
The service included an emotional balloon release.
"Go ahead and send them up to heaven for her, because we all know that's where she is," Amy said softly.
She had become tearful during the service as Kevin Heister expressed his sympathy. His wife, Kathleen, has been identified as the driver whose vehicle hit Marra on Saturday. Overcome with tears, he offered his condolences to the family.
"To Marra, sorry I never got to meet you, but you will always be in my thoughts and prayers," Kevin Heister said. His wife, Kathleen, did not attend the service, but the families have met privately in an effort to begin the healing process, Kevin Heister said.
Kathleen Heister was turning left toward the park exit when she heard a noise as the toddler ran into the passenger side of her SUV and fell to the ground. She stopped immediately when she realized she had struck the child, police said.
"This is family," Perry Perret said. "The Olssons are our family, the Heisters are our family."
Perret is vice president of the the Carroll Manor Recreation Council. The organization hosted Tuesday's memorial service, where parents and young athletes paid tribute to Marra. Green, red and yellow balloons were released, the colors of the Ethiopian flag, to honor Marra's roots. The couple adopted Marra in January 2011, but she didn't arrive in Frederick until January 2012, Sten Olsson has said.
"In a short life, she left a great legacy," said Randy Cole, president of the Carroll Manor Recreation Council.
Cole helped to organize the memorial service. The Olsson family has been involved with the council's lacrosse program, making them a part of "the Carroll Manor family," Perret said Tuesday.
"You guys are carrying us through this, otherwise I don't know how we could do this," Sten Olsson said at Tuesday's service.
Prayers of peace, strength and comfort continued throughout the brief service, which included a moment of silence. Green, yellow and red streamers flew in the wind along with an American flag flown by the Carroll Manor Fire Co.
The fire company's ladder truck doubled as a flagpole as Sten Olsson thanked rescue workers for doing "everything they could" after his daughter was struck on Saturday.
He also thanked the community for participating in the Tuesday service. Homemade Ethiopian flags, small signs and a sea of colors transformed the baseball field into a oasis of support.
"I have to tell you this is the ministry of presence," Cole said. "This scene right here says it all."
The family will receive friends today from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike.
A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Mountain View Community Church, 8330 Fingerboard Road. Lunch at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Co. will follow.
Private burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens after lunch. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Patty Pollatos Fund Inc.
The 2-year-old died Saturday at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she was taken after being struck by a car at Heritage Farm Park in Walkersville.
Devastated by her death, the community has rallied around the family. Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday for a memorial service outside Carroll Manor Elementary School.
The service included an emotional balloon release.
"Go ahead and send them up to heaven for her, because we all know that's where she is," Amy said softly.
She had become tearful during the service as Kevin Heister expressed his sympathy. His wife, Kathleen, has been identified as the driver whose vehicle hit Marra on Saturday. Overcome with tears, he offered his condolences to the family.
"To Marra, sorry I never got to meet you, but you will always be in my thoughts and prayers," Kevin Heister said. His wife, Kathleen, did not attend the service, but the families have met privately in an effort to begin the healing process, Kevin Heister said.
Kathleen Heister was turning left toward the park exit when she heard a noise as the toddler ran into the passenger side of her SUV and fell to the ground. She stopped immediately when she realized she had struck the child, police said.
"This is family," Perry Perret said. "The Olssons are our family, the Heisters are our family."
Perret is vice president of the the Carroll Manor Recreation Council. The organization hosted Tuesday's memorial service, where parents and young athletes paid tribute to Marra. Green, red and yellow balloons were released, the colors of the Ethiopian flag, to honor Marra's roots. The couple adopted Marra in January 2011, but she didn't arrive in Frederick until January 2012, Sten Olsson has said.
"In a short life, she left a great legacy," said Randy Cole, president of the Carroll Manor Recreation Council.
Cole helped to organize the memorial service. The Olsson family has been involved with the council's lacrosse program, making them a part of "the Carroll Manor family," Perret said Tuesday.
"You guys are carrying us through this, otherwise I don't know how we could do this," Sten Olsson said at Tuesday's service.
Prayers of peace, strength and comfort continued throughout the brief service, which included a moment of silence. Green, yellow and red streamers flew in the wind along with an American flag flown by the Carroll Manor Fire Co.
The fire company's ladder truck doubled as a flagpole as Sten Olsson thanked rescue workers for doing "everything they could" after his daughter was struck on Saturday.
He also thanked the community for participating in the Tuesday service. Homemade Ethiopian flags, small signs and a sea of colors transformed the baseball field into a oasis of support.
"I have to tell you this is the ministry of presence," Cole said. "This scene right here says it all."
The family will receive friends today from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike.
A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Mountain View Community Church, 8330 Fingerboard Road. Lunch at the Urbana Volunteer Fire Co. will follow.
Private burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens after lunch. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Patty Pollatos Fund Inc.
