SHADY COVE, Ore. -- The families of Malina Nickel and Destiny Finch came together for the first time Friday night to celebrate the lives of the loved ones they lost with the community.
"Destiny did leave us too soon," said Destiny Finch's friend, Dakota Merrifield. "But through all of this, I hope that we can be thankful for what she left us with."
"She was the sweetest, most soft-spoken, kindest, gentlest, silly, so goofy. There aren't enough words to describe her," added Finch's aunt, Sarah Wilson.
About two hundred gathered at the Upper Rogue Regional County Park boat ramp to share the memories they had of the two now passed on at a candlelit vigil.
"It is a beautiful thing when people unite for the sake of humanity and the sake of goodness," Finch family friend, Kathy Donner said.
Everyone was invited to go up and speak kind words about the two women taken from their community.
"It's weird to think that suddenly that face that was bringing light into your life and making every day just a little bit better isn't here anymore," Merrifield added.
"We've all suffered great losses, great times of tragedy. Most of all, the loss of our family," one community spoke.
No one was there to talk about how the two women passed away. Everyone only spoke of who they were as poeple, telling stories to keep the positive memories alive.
"This was perfect," Wilson said through tears. "This was love. This is why we did this. So that everybody could come together as a community."
