Community is #RememberingRebecca After Teen Was Killed in Tragic Accident

By WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff)

She was just 17 when her life came to an abrupt end through a tragic car accident, but in her short life one Brookfield teen has made a tremendous impact on the world.

Rebecca Draper Townsend passed away Thursday, July 2, 2015 after she was struck and killed on Lake Ave. in Danbury while crossing the street. Her friend Benjamin Arne was critically injured.

She was the founder of the local chapter of She’s the First at Danbury’s Immaculate High School where she graduated in 2015. She’s the First is a non-profit that enables young girls to go to college. When learning of the news of her death, a representative told Patch, “The Townsends are a very special part of our STF family and we were devastated to hear the news. Rebecca was an exceptionally kind, generous, and talented young woman and she will be dearly missed.”

She’s the First wrote on their Facebook page, “Rebecca’s passion and energy for She’s the First has been an inspiration to all of us, and we are devastated at her loss. Her chapter helped send a number of girls to school, but one that stands out to us is Joy, a third-grader in Uganda,whose very name reminds us of Rebecca’s impact on the lives of everyone around her, near or far.”

Rebecca’s family set up a Facebook page to encourage others to serve their communities by doing good deeds using the hashtag #RememberingRebecca. They wrote on their page:

“Rebecca was passionate about service work and charities, constantly working to better the lives of others. For this reason, we have made this page where people can share a memory or document ways they have kept Rebecca’s spirit alive by showing kindness to others. Whether paying for a meal, volunteering time, or donating to a cause, we all have the opportunity to pay it forward every day, just as Rebecca strived to do. Please use the hashtag‪#‎RememberingRebecca‬ when paying it forward or sharing a memory. Be sure to like and share this post to spread it around the world!”

Rebecca was set to attend Notre Dame this fall. Her loss was felt there as well. They shared this post on Instagram:

“Over the weekend, incoming first year student Rebecca Draper Townsend lost her life in a car accident near her home. Those on campus honored her with candles at the Grotto. Please keep her family within your prayers. She will be remembered at Mass when we gather to welcome #ND2019 to campus in August.”

Rebecca was laid to rest on Tuesday, July 7, 2015. To share your thoughts or stories about paying it forward, please click here.

Related:

• Rebecca Draper Townsend, 17 of Brookfield, Passed Away Thursday
• Immaculate High School Holds Vigil for Brookfield Teen Tragically Killed
• Update: Brookfield Teen Killed in Danbury Accident

Photo1 : Remembering Rebecca

Photo 2: Notre Dame Instagram