OGDEN Utah (ABC 4 News) – Emilie Parker’s family hopes to build a memorial for all school children who died alongside their daughter at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Emilie Parker is from Ogden and her family is returning her body for burial Saturday. The family and Emilie’s body is expected to arrive Tuesday night.
Parker’s family issued a statement requesting privacy as they prepare for Emilie’s funeral.
The statement read: “As we make the difficult preparations to bury our beloved daughter Emilie, we ask members of the media to allow us the time, space and privacy that we need to undergo this horrific ordeal. You can surely understand the unfathomable pain we are suffering, and we hope that you can respect our wishes at this time.”
The Parkers established an Emilie Parker fund www.emilieparkerfund.com and plan to use the money for families of victims and for a memorial.
The statement continued: “Proceeds will go to help all of the Sandy Hook Elementary families affected in whatever ways each family deems necessary. The victims will live forever in our hearts, and we hope to create a memorial—an enduring legacy—for them in Newtown as well as help rebuild and heal the shattered lives of all affected.”
Emilie Parker grew up in Ogden and she will be buried in Ogden Saturday. Meanwhile friends and strangers alike have placed pink ribbons, Emilie’s favorite color throughout the community.
A spokesman for the family says they’ve noticed the love being shown by the community.
“As a family we do sincerely appreciate all of the love and support and kindness that we have felt,” says Darren Cottle, Emilie’s uncle. “This is really a difficult tragedy. The outpouring of assistance is overwhelming and we're sincerely grateful for that.”
