Kelli Du Fresne/Nevada Appeal More than 100 friends of Rachel French, 19, held a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at the corner of Highway 50 and Airport Road. The roadside memorial marks the place where French was killed in an accident Monday.
Rachel Lynn French knew who she was. Spirited, energetic, athletic and loved, the blond-haired, blue-eyed teen had found her niche in life - and for now it was to have fun.
"Rachel, she's an outstanding girl. She loved everything other kids her age loved. She loved dancing and she was a great at softball," said her brother Richard, five years her senior. "I remember when she was born, walking across the (hospital) parking lot and my dad telling me I'm going to have a sister."
They fought of course, Richard said, but he'll even miss that.
On Monday, in an accident in which everyone is left wondering "why," Rachel, 19, was killed when her friend's truck slammed into her vehicle from behind as she was stopped at a traffic light.
In her own words on her myspace.com profile she last visited the day she died, Rachel described herself, "more laid back than anything. I like to go to the club, that's what I love to do, and meet new people and just have fun."
In response to the questions "Who I'd like to meet," she wrote, "Well, I'd like to meet Jesus for one."
What do you want to be when you grow up?
"A rapper or a cop," she answered.
She also revealed on her profile that she hoped someday to get married, have children, and go to college.
Religion was also important to her, Richard said.
"She'd do anything for anybody. She was a religious person, and loved hanging out at the church," he said.
Her uncle, the Rev. John Mays, credited his niece with bringing her friends to the church.
"She was such a strong Christian girl, a youth worker, and she invited so many of her friends into the youth activities," he said.
Her oldest brother, Roger Jr., 32, said he envied his sister's athleticism.
"She was probably the best athlete in the family," he said. "And she was popular."
Proof of Rachel's popularity came Tuesday night. In an impromptu memorial, dozens of teenagers crowded around the northeast corner of Airport Road and Highway 50 East, where Rachel lost her life. The mood was somber. The teens, speaking in hushed tones, held candles, hugged, and cried as hip-hop music played softly in the background.
Their parents are too grief stricken to comment, Roger Jr. said, but the one thing they would want everyone to know is "just how much of a good person she was."
Judging by the comments left on Rachel's profile since her death, people already knew.
"I have never seen you without a smile. God is one lucky fella to have you on his team," one message read.
"I know you are in a better place. I remember you always saying 'I wonder what God is like.' Well I guess you know now. I just wish it wouldn't have been now," another friend wrote.
A memorial will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Valley Christian Fellowship, in the Meadowdale Center in Gardnerville. A viewing will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at FitzHenry's Funeral Home, 833 N. Edmonds Drive, in Carson City. Burial will be at Eastside Cemetery in Gardnerville.
Rachel is survived by her parents Barbara and Roger French Sr., brothers Richard and Roger Jr., grandmother Gladys French, aunt and uncle Judy and John Mays; and several cousins.
An account to help the family with funeral costs will be announced at a later date.
-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.