18-Year-Old Bucks Co. Girl Remembered With Road Safety Sign

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Isabella Shinn's mother is remembering her daughter on the 6th month anniversary of the day when she was fatally struck crossing a township street.

Her mother —who wished to remain anonymous in her interview with Patch —had just attended a high graduation ceremony Monday at Archbishop Wood High School in which Isabella's parents received her diploma along with her cap and gown.

"It's been an emotional week," said Isabella's mother, whose son graduates from 8th grade Wednesday. "It was a nice ceremony. They handled it wonderfully."

On Dec. 5, Isabella was called into work on her day off at Bruster’s Ice Cream on Brownsville Road, a stone's throw from her home and a street she has crossed for years with her dogs without incident. After leaving work to walk home, she was struck by a car and pronounced dead the following day. The driver was not charged in the accident.

A sign has been placed in Isabella's memory across the street from where she was struck.

"My biggest fear is that Isabella will be forgotten," her mother said. "We don't want her to be. The sign is another step. If someone reads the sign and slows down, then she will continue to do great things even when she isn't here."

The sign came about after state Rep. Kathleen "KC" Tomlinson and state Sen. Frank Farry paid their respects at Isabella's viewing. Isabella's mother, who had been trying to figure out a way to make safety improvements on Brownsville Road.

"It's 35 mph but no one obeys the speed limit," Isabella's mother said. "It's a family-friendly road. There is no stop sign, crosswalk or flashing lights."

So Tomlinson and Farry presented the idea for a sign that says "In Memory of Isabella Shinn" under "Please Drive Safely."

The two lawmakers were joined by Bensalem Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and Bensalem Director of Public Safety Bill McVey in unveiling the sign during a May 25 ceremony.

"Her family has suffered an unimaginable loss," Tomlinson said in a Facebook post. "Please join me in remembering Isabella and of course please drive slowly and safely on Brownsville in honor of her. I would ask that we continue to keep Isabella and her family in our prayers."

Isabella's mother said the family donated her organs and is also coming up with a scholarship for a 12th-grader at Archbishop Wood.

"She was just a good, kind-hearted person," her mother said of Isabella. "She was always willing to help someone."