Community Mourns Mercy Student's Death

The news of a young girl's untimely death first spread on Twitter just after 1 a.m. Monday morning as the many friends of Mercy High School junior Angela Warzecha, 16, used the hashtag #ripangie to express their grief and shock.

Friends, acquaintances and others who had heard the news posted messages to Angie's Facebook page, whose cover is a photograph of a palm with the words, "smile, beautiful," on it, with touching remembrances of the gifted swimmer who worked as a waitress, was described as a "sweet, beautiful girl," and loved the color orange. 

Fellow Mercy and Xavier High School students in Middletown have rallied on Twitter, asking "any attendees of Xavier and/or Mercy sports events this week to wear orange."

• Read her obituary here

Late Monday, friends Tweeted that there will be a candlelight vigil Tuesday at 6 p.m. for Angie at the Brownstone Quarry in Portland.

Principal Sister Mary McCarthy sent this letter to Mercy parents and guardians on Monday morning about this special member of the class of 2014:

By now I am sure that you have heard the sad news that one of our students, Angela Warzecha died last evening.

I know that you will hold in your thoughts and prayers Angela's parents, her brother and her family.

I want to assure you that our crisis team was prepared this morning to help our students. I met with the faculty and staff prior to school starting and then we called all the students to the auditorium at the beginning of their first class. I spoke to them about the tragic loss, informed them what assistance would be available to them and we concluded with prayer [see attached pdf]. 

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, according to Legacy.com. A Memorial Service will be held at Mercy High School Auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at 3 p.m. Donations to a scholarship in Angie's name may be made to Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Rd., Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.