In death, life continues.
Although funeral services for the teens killed in last week’s
car accident were filled with grief-stricken faces and
tear-streaked cheeks, the message priests, pastors, friends and
family members conveyed was that the people left behind must
continue living through the tragedy and the pain.
Hollister – In death, life continues.
Although funeral services for the teens killed in last week’s car accident were filled with grief-stricken faces and tear-streaked cheeks, the message priests, pastors, friends and family members conveyed was that the people left behind must continue living through the tragedy and the pain.
Services for Vanessa Jimenez, 13, Albert Andrew Hernandez, 13 and Armando Limas, 16, who died Monday night last week in a fiery crash on Fairview and Shore roads, were held over the weekend and each drew hundreds of mourners.
“Andrew has not died. He will be living in the youth,” said Maria Escalante, a friend of the Hernandez family who attended a grave-side burial Monday. “The young people have a responsibility to help him to continue living forever.”
As Hernandez’s body was lowered into the ground at I.O.O.F. Cemetery Monday afternoon, the complete silence of the more than 100 people was broken only by the sound of weeping, sniffling and the innocent babbling of toddlers too young to understand the pain a young death has on those left behind.
Pastor Nicolas Hernandez, of the Church of God and Prophecy, preached passionately before the teen was laid to rest, saying mourners should challenge themselves to live better lives in honor of his memory, and to do so by taking strength through God.
“When we die, we can no longer take action,” Hernandez said in Spanish through a translator. “Those alive can take action, and God is not the God of death. God is the God of the living.”
About 250 people packed Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson funeral home Saturday afternoon to pay their respects to Limas.
Pastor Steve Beltran, who officiated the service, encouraged people not to dwell on the negative aspects of Limas’ death, but the positive aspects of his life.
“I want you to understand I’d rather remember that big smile, the look in his eyes – and when we think about him, we strive to do better ourselves,” he said. “It is a time of mourning only because we miss him.”
Friends and family members of Limas recited their happy memories of the teen, his antics that made them laugh and the way his fun-loving attitude brought joy to their lives.
“I ain’t good with words, but I loved him,” said friend Steven Galleos. “Every time I was down he made me laugh… and I can’t believe he’s gone. He’s with me though. I know he’s with me.”
Limas’ oldest cousin, Aure Hernandez, spoke about Limas’ affection for the color red. Hernandez said although red often symbolizes violence in our culture, the color accurately symbolized Limas’ uniqueness.
“What you’re left with is a vibrant, rich color that represented Mondo,” he said. “I am honored to have had a cousin like Armando, and I will forever try to make him proud of me.”
Over 400 people packed Sacred Heart Catholic Church Friday for an evening mass in memory of Jimenez.
Jimenez’s aunt, Lila Vasquez, was in awe of the amount of people affected by her niece’s death, she said.
“I am so happy Vanessa had lots of friends,” she said. “There were so many girls there who were just beautiful, and these were her friends. It made me really happy.”
Several of Jimenez’s family members spoke during the mass about parents taking the time to listen to their children, and for children to take the time to think about their actions.
“(We) wanted to explain to parents and kids, for parents to love your children, take time to listen to them, don’t avoid them,” Vasquez said.
Although none of Jimenez’s friends spoke about her when Father Rudy Ruiz asked if anyone wanted to express their thoughts or memories of the teen, Vasquez said the extreme emotion inside the church was too much for the young mourners to take.
“I just heard her friends crying,” she said. “I don’t think anyone had the strength.”
Funds to help the families of all three of the teens have been set up at San Benito Bank in each of their names.
Another 13-year-old girl was injured in the crash and is in serious condition at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, according to the California Highway Patrol. She was thrown through the windshield of the car and suffered a fractured vertebrae, facial lacerations, a collapsed lung and burns to one side of her body, according to the CHP.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
