Loving Crowd Turns Out To Remember Their Forever Angel: Photos

CUTCHOGUE, NY — When faced with the unthinkable, the North Fork community never fails to come together.

And when Kaitlyn Doorhy, who died when she was 20 years old in 2014 while away at college, it seemed as though the pain would forever envelop the sleepy Mattituck hamlet where she left a forever legacy as a scholar, athlete, and young woman dedicated to giving back.

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In true North Fork fashion, though, the many who loved her stood strong, choosing to remember Kait and celebrate her life by doing good works in her name.

The years since have been filled with events and fundraisers organized by Kait's Angels, a philanthropic organization created to keep Kait's memory alive through acts of kindness toward others in need — just as she would have done.

Whether a child in the community is battling illness, a family is crippled by painful loss, or young students are being guided along the path of learning to treat others with kindness and respect, Kait's Angels has turned out, front and center, to lend a helping hand and shine a light of compassion.

On Friday, a crowd turned out for the annual Kait's Angels Designer Handbag Wingo event at Macari Vineyards & Winery. Ed Macari's "Avelino Mobile Italian Cuisine" was also onhand; the event featured thousands of dollars' worth of prizes.

Young and old shared laughter and conversation, erupting into cheers of joy as they won prizes and gift baskets, some dancing and fist pumping to the stage to claim their winnings. It was a night not to mourn, but to rejoice in life, in friendship, in a community so strong that neither heartbreak nor death could rip the fabric of solidarity and courage that radiates throughout.

Amongst those in attendance, there were many who have fought their own battles, who have had to say good-bye in recent years to loved ones and who have rallied to help friends in the community facing daunting challenges. But no matter what life has offered up, the smiling faces and open hearts turned out en masse Friday to remember their girl, their smiling, beautiful Kaitlyn — to honor her life through the joy of giving.

Just as Kaitlyn would have done.