Holy Cross continues to mourn loss of star rower killed in Florida crash

WORCESTER — The Holy Cross community continues to mourn the loss of their star rower, Grace Rett, who was killed Wednesday in a Florida car crash.

Rett died in the crash while on a trip with other members from the school’s rowing team. Six Women’s rowing athletes and their coach remain in a Florida hospital, where two of them are in serious condition.

The rest of the team flew back from Vero Beach, Florida late Wednesday night.

On Thursday, shock turned into sadness among Holy Cross students, as they left a heart-wrenching tribute, a rowing machine, draped with flowers and a sign that reads: Rest in peace.

It’s the same machine Rett used to break a world record just one month ago.

“That was the hardest part to me. I had just spoken to her and she was gone,” said Ryan Hourihan, who grew up with Rett.

Hourihan is struggling to cope after his lifelong friend was killed in the crash. The two had texted shortly before she was killed.

“I was late saying happy birthday and she texted me and said, ‘I love you and miss you’ and that was the last thing she ever said to me,” Hourihan said.

His twin brother, Colin, is also working to make sense of the tragedy.

“I texted her immediately and I said, 'Please tell me you’re OK, please tell me you’re OK,” Colin Hourihan said.

Students are trying to make sense of the tragedy. Several members of the Women’s rowing team attended Mass today and met with grief counselors.

"She was the heart of the team and the team is really united in carrying on what the gift that she gave them, which was her spirit,” said Michele Murray, dean of students at Holy Cross.

Earlier Thursday, Rett was honored with a moment of silence at the Men’s Basketball game.

A Florida doctor told the media that two of the surviving team members suffered brain injuries.

Thirteen members of the Holy Cross Women’s rowing team were in Vero Beach, Florida traveling in a van when it was hit by a pickup truck while making a left-hand turn.

Rett died just one day after her 20th birthday.

The Hourihan twins, who grew up with Rett, said they’ve never met anyone like her.

“She’s never changed. She’s always stayed the same just this high infectious energy this sweet girl to everyone,” Colin Hourihan said, adding that “She was loved by so many people, so many people and I don’t think I’ll ever meet anyone on this earth who is like her. There is no replacing her.”

“Whatever she put her mind to, she would get done. She was just the hardest worker at everything and rowing was her passion, it was her life,” Ryan Hourihan said.

On Thursday, Holy Cross leaders thanked the community for its compassion.

“I’m terribly, unbelievably grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from so many students, faculty, staff, alum -- total strangers,” said Murray.

Brianne Rett, Grace’s sister, said in an email to Boston 25 News on Friday that she was heartened to know that Grace likely died instantly in the crash and didn’t suffer. “I know that if she had the opportunity to fight, she would have. She’s the strongest person I know,” she said in the statement, noting that Grace’s legs were not broken from the impact because “her legs were so damn strong.” Brianne said that her sister was an organ donor and now "someone will have those legs to continue their fight.”

She added: “Grace would put others first, always, just to make them smile. I feel most at peace when I am able to offer closure to her friends and family. I feel that the bond my sister and I have is allowing me to tell people how much she loved them and things she would want to tell them. Grace will always be in the hearts of everyone she knew. I’m sure she is already pulling a power ten up there in her boat in heaven.”

On Friday, the Vero Beach Police Department in Florida wrapped purple balloons around light poles on the Barber Bridge in honor of the families of the Holy Cross Women’s Rowing team.

A teddy bear placed down by the department represents Grace and the department says they are "Holy Cross Strong.

Sister of Holy Cross rower killed in van crash: 'She's the strongest person I know' Brianne Rett, the sister of 22-year-old Holy Cross student Grace Rett, offered words of comfort to those mourning her sister's sudden death.

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