Photo: GoFundMe
A New York teenager died just before her 18th birthday on what was supposed to be a fun trip south with her mom and friend.
Danielle Marceline was vacationing in Florida over the weekend when shedrowned while swimmingin the ocean, according to the Lansingburgh Central School District, which she previously attended.
Her body was found on the beach early Sunday morning.
The teen girls were visiting Florida with Danielle’s mother Christine Marceline to celebrate her daughter’s 18th birthday, which would have been on Sunday.
“This was supposed to be an amazing mother-daughter weekend. It was something she always wanted,“Christine toldThe Times Union. “It was supposed to be the best weekend of her life and it took her life away.”
AGoFundMeset up to support the Marceline family’s funeral and memorial costs. More than $35,000 has been raised as of midday Wednesday.
“This is a tragic loss for her family and friends,” wrote the Hunter family, which created the online fundraiser.
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Danielle was a senior at Catholic High in Troy, where she transferred following her sophomore year, according to theUnion.
Lansingburgh Central School District said teachers remembered the former athlete as “an absolute pleasure to have in class” who brought “smiles to those around her.”
“This is a tragedy that impacts every member of the school community,” said Giovanni Virgiglio, superintendent of schools at Albany Diocesan School Board, per theUnion’s report.
In addition to being a high school athlete, Danielle was alsoa dancer. She spent four years training at the Art in Motion Dance Academy on Everett Road in Colonie, according to NBC affiliate WNYT.
Andrea DiDio, owner of AMDA, told the outlet that Danielle “a charismatic dancer” who was well-versed in hip-hop.
“You could tell while she was performing, she exuded her love and passion for dance,” DiDio explained. “When she took the stage, the energy that came out of her when she performed was unlike any other.”
A memorial benefit dinner will be held at Jimmy’s Pizza in Lansingburgh on Tuesday, with a portion of the proceeds going toward supporting Danielle’s family, according to WNYT.
source: people.com
