PLYMOUTH, N.H. ? Last Mon-day, October 27, at noon, a memorial service was held on the Alumni green honoring Plymouth State University student Kelly Nester. Students, fac-ulty, friends, and family gathered under a drizzling gray sky, a solemn congregation showing their support for the Nester family and everyone af-fected by the loss of a valued member of the Plymouth community.
President Donald Wharton began the ceremony by saying none of us could fully know the anguish of Kelly?s parents and sister in their time of loss. ?But we want them to know of our profound wish to be consoling. And we are here because of them, all of us in the Plymouth State University family, for we too have a profound sense of loss today.? He added, ?Plymouth State, in its own way, has lost a daughter, and a sister, and a friend. We are all diminished by this tragedy.?
President Wharton said Kelly does not need our tears or remorse, ?she?s beyond our sorrow?s reach.? He stated her memory deserves collective action in the future. ?Only positive action, that makes real change so that we are better, and do better.? Wharton said by themselves, prom-ises and resolutions are empty, and only right action is real. ?All of us honor her memory in the right way, not just today, or tomorrow, or the day after, but always. Let us all be truly our sisters and our brother?s keeper now and for good.?
After Wharton?s opening re-marks, Mary Ellen Wargo, Plymouth State?s Catholic Campus Minister, led a prayer. After, the Plymouth State University A Cappella and Chamber Singers (an organization Nester was a part of) sang the song ?Lonesome Road.?
Vice President of Student Affairs Richard T. Hage then took the podi-um, explaining the symbolism behind the ceremony and the procession that would take place next. Hage named members of the Nester family and Kelly?s closest friends, saying their presence ?helps us with the loss of our beloved student and friend.? He hoped that ?we too provide some comfort for you as you mourn the loss of your daughter, your sister, your niece, your friend, and our be-loved Kelly.?
Hage continued, ?The past week has been very difficult. We lost a loved one. We cried a great deal. We struggled to make sense of why such a beautiful and vibrant soul was taken so tragically, at such tender age, with so very much yet to offer this world.?
Hage said the community learned from a close friend, that Kelly was ?the cheeriest and fastest resident in Pemi [Hall], as she zoomed around the halls on her roller sneakers with that contagious smile and greeting Kelly always had.? Hage also shared an experience of a ?self proclaimed shy student? who was welcomed by Kelly into the residence hall. ?He said Kelly just had that natural way of making you feel very special and important to her.?
Student Body President Matthew Wilhelm and Vice President Maya Blanchette led a procession from alumni green to Highland St, up a block, then back between Hall Hall and Mary Lyon Hall to Alumni Green. Wilhelm and Blanchette carried a symbolic torch, followed by Kelly?s roommates carrying a wreath bearing Kelly?s name. ?Our procession gives us quiet opportunity to reflect deeply upon the goodness and passion Kelly brought to life,? explained Hage, ?that we may learn from them, and keep them with us in her spirit.? After the procession, Kelly?s wreath was placed beside the memorial rock, ?commit-ting Kelly to our memory, and com-mitting ourselves to the good deeds of her example.
The Clock Tower bell rang twenty times. Hage explained this symbolizes ?the healing of time, as well as sending forth our pronouncement and celebra-tion of a most special life.?
Kristen Nester, Kelly?s older sister, read to the crowd a letter to Kelly writ-ten after her passing. ?To my baby sister, life certainly has a funny way of showing us how to love, how to live, and how to have strength.? She said the past four days have been some of the toughest, yet enlightening of days. Kristen said her sister was one of a kind, the best listener, hugger, and friend. ?She loved life and everything that it gave her, from putting herself in the best light to hanging out with friends and making us laugh. And we did laugh.?
Kelly?s sister told stories of how they loved to spend time with each other, talking, shopping, and sing-ing. ?She was the one I jammed out with in the car,? Kristen said. She explained how Kelly loved everyone around her and was very thoughtful, ?anytime we would go somewhere, she would always look for something for a friend.? Kristen also shared one of Kelly?s favorite quotes, ?It?s not being in love that makes me happy, it?s being in love with you that makes me happy.?
Goodbye letters were then read by Jeff Talbot, Kelly?s boyfriend, and Kelly?s roommates Shannon Mc-Nally and Angela Bergeron. They all expressed Kelly?s illuminating personality and zest for life, and how Kelly?s loss has left an unfillable void in their lives. Musician and Plymouth State student Pete Bolduc performed an original composition, singing and playing an acoustic guitar. Gary Corcoran, Professor of Music, per-formed ?Amazing Grace? on the Flugel Horn, and Reverend Yvonne Miloyevich, United Campus Minister, offered a closing prayer.
After the ceremony, a reception was held at Heritage Commons in Samuel Reed Hall. A display featured many photographs of Kelly, young and old, with family and friends. Com-menting on the memorial ceremony, Chief of Campus Police John Clark said, ?I think it was very appropriate and very nice, and it was very nice to see a number of students come out to the service.?
Tim Keefe, Dean of Students, stated, ?It was a celebration, a celebration of an incredible life. It was so empow-ering to see this community come together like that and to offer their condolences to the family, but also to share in celebrating somebody who had touched so many lives.?