SOCCER PLAYER MOURNED BY HUNDREDS; POPULAR L.A. BAPTIST STUDENT DIES JUST BEFORE 16TH BIRTHDAY.Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer Hundreds of friends, family and classmates Classmates can refer to either:
deference, respect - a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard; "his deference to her wishes was very to a teen they described as caring and fun, whose life was taken too soon by leukemia. ``She was a wonderful kid,'' said Candice's grandfather, Serge DeSomov. ``She'll be missed by everybody.'' The Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Baptist High student died Tuesday, three days before her 16th birthday, after a brief hospitalization. Her death came as a sudden shock to friends and loved ones loved ones npl → seres mpl queridos loved ones npl → proches mpl et amis chers loved ones love npl who didn't know she had the disease until she was hospitalized. ``I'm still reeling from the shock that she even went into the hospital, let alone passing away,'' said friend Karinna Thompson, 19. ``A couple Sundays ago she was running cross country and playing soccer like a champion. Nine, 10 days later she's dead,'' said DeSomov. ``It's very sad.'' About 300 people attended the traditional Orthodox funeral service funeral service n → misa de cuerpo presente funeral service n → service m funèbre funeral service funeral n at Saint Innocent Saint Innocent can refer to:
That portion of a liturgy which is read at an interment; as, the English burial service s>. See also: Burial Burial under sunny, clear skies Clear Skies could refer to:
Candice was active in her church, a good student and an avid athlete. She also had a great fondness for animals. Father Gregory Safchuk, who presided over the service, knew Candice well because her mothe,r De Ette Kerns, is his secretary, and they would swap stories about their children all the time. ``I've done a lot of funerals in my time - 15 years in the priesthood. But this is the hardest I've ever done,'' Safchuk said after the service. ``It was only with a lot of effort that I managed to get through that service without breaking down in tears myself.'' Candice particularly enjoyed playing and refereeing soccer, and at 15 was one of the youngest referees in her league, Safchuk said. ``She was Miss Soccer,'' Thompson said. ``She just loved soccer. Everything was soccer. I was kind of hoping she'd be the next Mia Hamm Mia Hamm (born Mariel Margaret Hamm on March 17,1972 in Selma, Alabama) is a former American soccer player. Playing for many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team, she scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male . She was very good. Soccer was one of her passions.'' Victoria Wilson, 20, who had known Candice since childhood, is also fond of animals and recalled talking about pets with her. At different points, Candice had a rabbit, a baby chick and dogs, Wilson said. She was a ``very loving, very loyal friend,'' Wilson said. ``If she knew anything would make you feel better, she'd do it for you.'' During the service, Safchuk told mourners to grieve only for the ``temporary loss and separation'' because they will see her again someday in the afterlife. And he told them to use her death as a lesson ``that life is precious. It's a fragile gift from God.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) Shad Kerns, left, comforts his son Keith and wife, De Etta, during the funeral of Candice Kerns, who died on Tuesday at the age of 15. (2) Friends of Candice Kerns console one another after her funeral. The L.A. Baptist student and soccer player died of leukemia. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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