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OREM -- Funeral services were held Tuesday for a 13-year-old girl killed in a tragic accident outside Orem Junior High School.
Madison Mecum was killed when a 13-year-old driver lost control and hit Madison as she waited for a school bus on the sidewalk at 1340 N. 1200 West last week. Both girls were eighth-grade students at Orem Junior High.
Madison's family has already suffered much loss. Five years ago, her father was killed in a car crash. Shortly after that, the family fell victim of a well-publicized alleged Ponzi scheme in which Jeffrey Mowan is accused of defrauding as many as 200 investors out of $18 million.
Shortly after the accident that killed Madison, her grandfather, Delos Ballard, told KSL about the family's hardships. He recalled speaking with his granddaughter over breakfast the day before she was killed. They talked about Halloween.
He said he cherishes his last moments with Madison and said he'll always remember that she never left the house without a hug and kiss for those she loved.
"I think that's the way we'll remember her, as being the light of our life," he said.
Since Madison's death, there has been an outpouring of support for the Mecum family. Over the weekend, people donated items to a massive yard sale in Orem which raised funds for Madison's family.
Monday night, dozens of people lined up outside the Painted Temple Tattoo and Art Gallery in Provo. The owner, Oak Adams, offered tattoos the size of a 50-cent piece in exchange for donations to Madison's family.
"We're trying to help her out. We're trying to see what we can do for her," Adams said.
Henry Palomo, who has known Madison since third grade, started sending out text messages and postings on Facebook asking for help. He and a number of friends have also gone to several businesses in Orem and asked for donations. They've now raised more than $1,500.
All funds raised Monday night and over the weekend will help pay for Madison's funeral costs.
At Orem Junior High School, students said they will remember Madison as a cheerful girl and as a someone who was always friendly to others.
Friends put hearts on Madison's locker-- and wore pink to school in the days following her death. Friends said pink was Madison's favorite color. They said she was in the school choir and on the honor roll.
Gustavo Morales said, "She was pretty nice. She was smart in math, too, and she was kind to others."
E-mail: spark@ksl.com
