InsaneJournal

Gabrielle “Ellie” Hope Westin (1992-2011)
Time of Death: 6:26PM

Gabrielle Hope “Ellie” Westin, 18, died Thursday evening March 3, 2011 in the University of North Carolina Hospitals as a result of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident earlier in the day. Born August 17, 1992, she was the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. James and Robin Westin of Kannapolis, NC.

Ellie was a 2010 graduate of A. L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, where she graduated at the top of her class. She began attending University of North Carolina in the fall of 2010, where she was planning on majoring in Elementary Education, with a focus in The Arts, and minoring in Music. Her hope was to become an Elementary Music Teacher, so that she could instill the love of music into her young pupils. Miss Westin herself was involved in music from a young age. She began singing in the church choir at the age of four, began piano lessons at 5, and learned both flute and guitar while attending high school, as well as being an active part of her high school theatre program. At the age of 12, Ellie began taking ballroom dance lessons, which she excelled at, and joined the University of North Carolina Ballroom Dance Team when she began classes. She was also a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority as well as a member of the UNC Loreleis.

Ellie was an avid NASCAR fan and she could often be found spending her Sunday afternoons in front of the television cheering on her favorite driver, Tony Stewart. It was her greatest dream in life to one day be able to sing the National Anthem at a NASCAR event.

In addition to her parents, Ellie was survived by an older brother, Noah, of Charlotte, NC, an older sister, Hannah, of Kannapolis, and younger sisters Rachel and Eve, at home, as well as her twin brother, Michael, of Chapel Hill. She is also survived by her paternal grandparents Thomas and Katherine Westin of Sun City, AZ and maternal grandmother Esther Greggory of the Whispering Pines Retirement Home in Kannapolis. In addition to her family, Ellie also leaves behind her roommate, Melody Gagne as well as several special friends: Zebulon Pontecorvo, Karime Salvatore, and Lara Price.

A public memorial service will be held for Ellie, as well as other victims of the accident that took her life, at 5 PM on Friday March 4, 2011 in the Smith Center at the University of North Carolina. Private services will be held at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to S.A.D.D. or M.A.D.D..

Online condolences and memories can be left here.

Stev Alan Rogers (1991-2011)
Time of Death: 7:38PM

Stev A. Rogers 19, of Chapel Hill, died March 4, 2011 as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver and his own distracted driving. He was born April 13, 1991 in Raleigh to Alan and Giada Rogers. He spent his youth in Raleigh, where he graduated from Cardinal Gibbon High School in 2009 where he was a member of the orchestra and a midfielder for the lacrosse team. Stev was sophomore enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill, studying for his Bachelors of Music as a Kenan Music Scholar and second chair violinist for the Symphony Orchestra. He was a talented and varied musician, practiced in violin, guitar and vocals. From an early age, Stev carried a love and passion for music, known for singing around the house and picking up instruments and playing them for hours. He was in the process of writing his own songs and music and starting a band.

Stev was an involved honor student at UNC as a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and on the Tarheel Fencing squad. He was a volunteer at the Augustine Project as a tutor, at the Literacy Council of Chapel Hill helping raise awareness for adult illiteracy, and a mentor at the Boys and Girls club. Stev was working on a project to bring Musicians On Call to North Carolina to bring healing music to local hospitals. He was tied to his community through his love of charity and giving, and he was committed to the prevention of bullying and discrimination. He was an outgoing and gregarious personality who cared deeply for his friends and fraternity brothers.

He attended Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh where he was baptized, served as a member of the choir and altar boy and received his first communion. Stev was a loving godfather to his young nephew, Micah, who survives him. He is also survived by his parents Alan and Giada of Raleigh; his sister Katherine at home, his brother and sister-in-law Christian and Amy Rogers of Chapel Hill. He also leaves both maternal and paternal grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Stev also leaves behind close friends Jan Di, Nate, Eugene, Danny and Zebulon, and a boyfriend, Coulten. He is predeceased by several close friends who perished in the same accident, Frankie, Riquel and Soledad.

A memorial service is being held Friday at 5 p.m. at the Smith Center. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh. His family and friends request memorial donations to The Trevor Project or the Augustine Project. A public celebration of his life will be held at his family home after interment at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Online condolences and memories can be left here.