ATHENS, Ohio – Three Ohio University students were honored over the weekend for their strong character and the impact they had on others’ lives.
A memorial service was held Saturday for Erin DeMarco, Andrea Dennis and Christine Wilson at OU’s Templeton Blackburn Alumni Auditorium. The three women died in the April 13 fire at 64 E. 17th Ave. in Columbus.
Each of the three women were members of the Zeta chapter of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at OU. They were remembered by those present at the service as good students, caring women and fun-loving individuals.
Their sorority sisters carried roses as they processed from the house to the auditorium, and held the flowers throughout the service.
Attending the memorial service were friends and family, OU officials and representatives from the national alumni headquarters of Alpha Gamma Delta. Barbara Rich, assistant vice president of student affairs at Ohio State, was also in attendance to show support for the victims and their families.
“Each of the students was a much loved brother, sister, daughter, son, student, and friend. On behalf of the OSU community I extend my deepest condolences,” Rich said.
Mike DeMarco, Erin’s father, gave a special thanks to the Columbus firefighters. He thanked the OU and OSU communities for the support shown to the fire’s victims and their families.
He said he will not only remember Erin as his daughter but also as his best friend.
“She called me once a week to tell me how she was failing and each week it would be a different class,” said Mike DeMarco. “To me, this spoke volumes on how important education was to her.”
Christine Wilson will be remembered by friends and family for her fashion sense.
“I remember when she dressed in a nice sweater to go sledding. She ended up getting really cold, but she was the best dressed on the hill that day,” said Mark King, a close friend of Christine Wilson’s family.
“She always laughed at all of my jokes, and she knew in practice how to make people happy,” King said.
Andrea Dennis’ sorority sisters considered her to be one of the most active and charismatic members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority house at OU.
“She truly loved her sorority sisters and never criticized them,” said Dean Dennis, Andrea’s father.
Megan Teague, Jen Lehren and Jillian Gardner, sorority sisters to the victims and survivors of the fire, said Andrea’s heart was full of love for her family and friends. They thanked Dennis for her sarcastic comebacks, her smile, and the impact she had on their lives.
Mike DeMarco repeated some of Eddie Pauline’s words from Wednesday’s memorial service at OSU.
“Memorialize this tragedy by actions. If something doesn’t look right or feel right, leave. If a party gets too crowded, leave. And, if you see something illegal going on, then, leave,” Mike DeMarco said.
The service concluded with the sorority sisters placing their roses on the stage. Messages written on small pieces of paper about the three women were also placed on the stage. The sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta then sang “Follow Me,” a song close to all of their hearts.
“Do not diminish the impact of this event. Take time to express your feelings of the event. Reach out and let others know if you are hurting. Cherish the moments you had with these young people,” said Terry Hogan, dean of students at Ohio University.
