Students return to Holy Cross as community prepares to say goodbye to Grace Rett

WORCESTER, Mass. — Tuesday is the first day of the spring semester for students at Holy Cross, and for many it will be their first time back on campus since their classmate Grace Rett was killed in a car crash in Vero Beach, Florida, last Wednesday.

The women’s rowing team was on a training trip when two of their team vans were in a serious crash with a pickup truck. Thirteen people were hurt in the crash, according to Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey. Since the fatal accident, two of Rett’s injured teammates have been released from the hospital. Paige Cohen was released on Saturday and Maegan Moriarty on Friday, the school said.

Four other Holy Cross students and the women’s rowing coach remain in the hospital.

As the new semester begins, Rett will be laid to rest. Calling hours are on Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Uxbridge and a funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held there Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

On Sunday night in Vero Beach, the community gathered to celebrate Rett’s life, sending floats made of rice paper with prayers on them into a lagoon to commemorate letting go.

“There was so much she had to give to rowing, she was the leader of her team, a role model, she never stopped,” said Shotsi Lajoie, who attended the celebration of life.

At her funeral, Rett’s family is asking that people wear the colors and uniforms from any of her many teams and schools, including her Holy Cross color, purple.

Holy Cross said that students can access the Counseling Center by calling 508-793-3363 or coming to Hogan 207. The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., with urgent care times available at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. After hours, an on-call crisis counselor can be reached by calling the Counseling Center at 508-793-3363.

© 2020 Cox Media Group