Many thanks to everyone who attended Ella's memorial service, or sent their condolences.
The program for the service is available here.
Here are the texts of (most of) the speaker's remarks:
Denise Brown, director of the Montclair High School Dance Company where Ella danced all through High School, dedicated this year's performance to Ella - see the dedication in the program.
The Macalester Theatre and Dance Department Spring Concert Program also dedicated the performance to Ella, and donated proceeds to her fund.
Dearest Judy and Ken
Please accept my most sincere condolences. It is a great loss for all of us — and for you most of all... I cannot even begin to imagine what you must be feeling... I still cannot believe it and it breaks my heart.
Ella was such a beautiful, smart and talented girl — a pure soul with a most inquisitive mind...There is no way to explain her sudden departure at such young age... There is no way to justify it. Yet the love that we feel for her is quite real and this love is very much alive. May it follow her on her journey to the next destination. Ella is now free, dancing with the angels and dipping her paintbrush into the rainbow. Thank you for being a part of our lives, Ella, however short it may have been! The question mark that was your smile is forever etched upon my heart... That question that you've not have yet a chance to ask remains with us and it has now become ours. We will honor it and it will guide our steps until we join you to know the answer. May the blessings and prayers that we offer in her honor make a warm shawl around your grieving hearts, Judy and Ken. LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF LOVE to you both...... Andrey