LANGLEY, Wash. Classmates and parentsgathered Tuesday nightto remember the 9-year-old girl who was killed by a falling tree on Christmas Day.
Tobiah Zippy Leonard was a 4th grader at South Whidbey Elementary School, which is on holiday break this week but opened its doors Tuesday nightfor the community.
I want to talk with my friends and see how they're dealing with it, said Abby Barnett, one of Zippy's classmates. She was always really bold and didn't care when everybody thinks and she was always really nice to everybody.
Her 4th grade class met privately, then everyone was welcome in the gymnasium, where counselors worked with parents on how to cope with grief and loss. Students were also able to make memory book pages that will eventually go to Zippy's family.
It's very considerate to do this for the students, said parent Shannon Barnett. They just don't expect it at this age. Just so senseless.
The girl and her family were driving to their grandma's house Sunday when strong winds blew a large section of a tree onto their SUV. She was in the back seat and died at the scene.
The school wanted to give families a chance to deal with such a sudden loss.
People grieve in different ways, so it's really an opportunity to do whatever people need, said superintendent Jo Moccia.
Zippy's father, Tim, has a broken neck and is still recovering at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Tim is a well-known artist and sculptor on Whidbey Island. His business is the family s sole source of income. Zippy's mother, Julie, is a member of the Jet City Rollergirls team, Camaro Harem. They have set up information on their Facebook page to help the family.
As of Tuesday, the community had collectedmore than $13,000to help the family. Donations can be made at Whidbey Island Bank, Bayview Farm and Garden, Useless Bay Coffee Co, Stat Stone, Living Green and Wander on Whidbey
