Milford Mom Raises Thousands For Holy Cross Rower Grace Rett

MILFORD, MA — A Milford resident has raised thousands of dollars for the family of Grace Rett, the Holy Cross rower who died in a crash in Florida on Jan. 15. Deborah Holzman Beaudrot has known Rett's family for more than a decade after their daughters became friends in elementary school.

Holzman Beaudrot created the fundraiser on Jan. 16, and as of Jan. 28 had raised over $26,000. The proceeds will go to Rett's family for costs related to the funeral, travel, and other expenses.

"Grace was a beautiful young woman who was a talented singer, athlete and an excellent student," Holzman Beaudrot wrote on GoFundMe. "Grace was kind and compassionate. She had a strong faith. She would be the first to offer help to anyone in need. This all, of course, is a result of a wonderful upbringing by her remarkable family."

Rett and several other rowers were being driven to a practice in Vero Beach, Fla., by coach Patrick Diggins on Jan. 15 when the crash happened. A preliminary police investigation found that Diggins may have turned left across oncoming traffic. A driver in a pickup truck slammed into the Holy Cross van as it turned.

Rett's funeral was held on Jan. 22. On Monday, Holy Cross announced that all of Rett's teammates had been released from the hospital.

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