Myrtle Creek, Ore — One of the victims of the Umpqua Community College shooting was memorialized in a private ceremony Wednesday.
Those at the ceremony say her kindness and caring was an inspiration that will last long after her passing.
Just a few days after a service memorialized 44-year-old Sarena Dawn Moore, friends family and even complete strangers gathered in Myrtle Creek to remember a life lost during the Umpqua Community College shooting.
“The peacefulness of this valley was really shattered last Thursday morning,” said Pastor Chester Schurch.
After moving to Douglas County from Grants Pass several years ago, Sarena Dawn Moore sought guidance through her church in Myrtle Creek.
“There was a spiritual food that she sought here that I think helped her out the most,” said Schurch.
Nearly a week after her life was taken by a gunman while she attended class, Moore was remembered by her family and her pastor Chester Schurch as a kind and giving soul.
“everyone, without fail told the story of how she had touched their life and how it wouldn’t be the same without her,” said Schurch.
Moore called Myrtle Creek home, a tight knit community struck by tragedy twice, losing both Moore and South Umpqua High graduate Rebecca Carnes on the same day.
“She was a lovely person, everyone speaks very highly, her energy to go through school and better her education,” said Christine Goodwin of Carnes.
A tragedy that Christine Goodwin says will only make Myrtle Creek stronger.
“We will move on from this, we will continue to be a strong minded community.”
That’s the resilience Schurch saw in Moore, a glimmer of hope that could never be put out.
“They always looked to her as a spiritual person and they appreciated that part of her,” said Schurch.
A statement from Moore’s family reads: Sarena will be missed for many reasons but the one that stands out most is that Sarena had a caring heart that was bigger than life itself.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.