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Community mourns passing of Kate MacLellan
And also to say goodbye to a gentle, shy Nantucketer. Waves of sadness and disbelief settled over the island over the weekend, as people heard of the death of the Nantucket High School honor student, standout player on the girls' soccer team, and talented artist, dancer and musician. Students and parents gathered at the high school Thursday evening as planned parent/teacher meetings were cancelled. Counselors from the schools, island agencies and the Interfaith Council were available that night, throughout the next day and for the remainder of the weekend. Students wept in the high school corridors Friday as they came to grips with the loss of their beloved classmate. Faculty and staff were visibly shaken as they embraced students and each other and grieved for Ms. MacLellan and her family.
"Kate deeply touched many students," high school principal George Kelly said Friday afternoon. "She was a very special young woman, and she's going to be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to the entire MacLellan family. The students and the soccer teams are doing their best to focus on the many, many positive memories she left us." All athletic events were cancelled over the holiday weekend and the American flag near the playing fields was flown at half staff in tribute.
For many students the shock was magnified - it was the third death of a peer in less than a year. Vaughn Peterson, a 15- year-old freshman at Nantucket High School, died suddenly last February. Drew Cook, a 20-year-old student at Bryant College who attended schools on the island through eighth grade, died unexpectedly on Sept. 28. Over 400 islanders gathered for an emotional candlelight tribute to Ms. MacLellan at the soccer field Sunday afternoon. With her soccer team at the center, friends and family paid honor to her memory and accomplishments. Grace MacLellan read a poem of love to her sister, that was preceded by boys' soccer captain Russell Bartlett reading a poem he had written that touched on Kate's sportsmanship, artistry and sense of humor. Her sister Zoe also spoke, as did soccer teammate and tri-captain Molly MacKay. George MacLellan spoke briefly yet poignantly, asking islanders to "please remember the good times she brought." Many in attendance wore multi-colored ribbons, in recognition of Ms. MacLellan's love of the colors of the rainbow.
Larrabee also read a statement on behalf of the schools: "Kate MacLellan, an outstanding student-athlete in every sense. Excellence in the classroom, excellence on the athletic field, that was Kate - a beautiful young lady who was developing into a very talented young artist as well. Repeatedly described as a pleasure to have in class, she was a determined, hard working student and, like so many high school seniors, trying to find her place in this world. "One of four daughters in a very tightly knit family - sometimes affectionately referred to as a 'soccer family' - Kate excelled as a player, one who naturally led the team in spirit and play; one who never wanted the glory of scoring the winning goal, she preferred to set up the ball to allow a teammate to 'put it into the net.' Game officials repeatedly expressed the pleasure they got from watching Kate play: 'She runs like a deer as she takes the ball down the field.' "Kate will always be remembered for the positive way in which she treated those with whom she came in contact. Despite losing Kate at such a tender, young age, the brightness of her being will forever shine within the schools and the Nantucket community as a whole." School faculty and staff, along with islanders from all walks of life, joined at her memorial Monday afternoon in a service marked by musical offerings from family and friends. Grace MacLellan and Caleb Whelden sang a heartfelt "Broken Things." Grace later paid tribute by reading a poem by James Wright. Zoe MacLellan and Casey Bartlett read "somewhere I have never traveled" by ee cummings, and Julia Wendelken gave a moving eulogy, remembering her friend as someone who possessed a "pure heart." Kathryn Wilder MacLellan was born on Nantucket on Jan. 11, 1990. She is survived by her parents, Karin Lambrecht MacLellan and George Stewart MacLellan; by her sisters, Zoe Elise MacLellan, Grace Ann MacLellan and Nora Harrison MacLellan; by her grandparents, Ann and Gregory Chandler, Col. Donald William and Vivian Lambrecht, George William and Mona Simpson MacLellan; and by many cousins, aunts and uncles. I |
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