Community mourns Allen siblings at vigil

Community mourns Allen siblings at vigilMembers of the community gather together for a candlelight vigil in memory of Zachary and Trinity Allen. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)

A candlelight vigil was held on November 2 at Owego Elementary School (OES) in remembrance of Zachary and Trinity Allen who lost their lives as the result of an auto accident on Oct. 20.

More than 100 community members gathered together, along with Zachary and Trinity’s family and friends, to offer support and remember the children.

Community mourns Allen siblings at vigil
The community gathers at Owego Elementary School on the evening of Nov. 2 for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Zachary and Trinity Allen who lost their lives as the result of an auto accident on Oct. 20. Zachary was a student at OES and his sister, Trinity, attended Owego Middle School. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)

Seven-year-old Zachary was a student at OES and his 11-year-old sister, Trinity, attended Owego-Apalachin Middle School.

As guests arrived, candles and glow sticks were distributed. Tarrah Koehler, Lindsay Craven, and Irene Radigan organized the vigil.

Community mourns Allen siblings at vigil
A photo of Zachary and Trinity Allen graces a table display in front of Owego Elementary School on Nov. 2. The siblings were described as “always together, soul mates forever and inseparable.” (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)

A table, set up at the entrance to the school, displayed a framed photo of the siblings, along with other mementos.

Beth Bailey sang “Amazing Grace,” and Pastor Wayne Sibrava of Owego’s Living Waters Baptist Church offered words of comfort and hope.

Community mourns Allen siblings at vigil 
Members of the community gather together for a candlelight vigil in memory of Zachary and Trinity Allen. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)

On Sunday, Oct. 20, Robert and Kathy Allen were awaiting the return of their children, Zachary and Trinity, after the siblings had spent the day with their mother, Darlene L. Allen. While traveling Route 17/86 near the Sayre / Waverly area, a deer jumped in front of the car Darlene was driving, and then, subsequently, the car was hit by a tractor-trailer. 

Zachary was pronounced dead at the scene, and Trinity was transported to a Syracuse hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. A third child, Nathan G. Slater, Darlene’s five-year-old son, was hospitalized and released. Darlene is in the recovery process after sustaining serious injuries.

Community mourns Allen siblings at vigil 
Beth Bailey sings “Amazing Grace” at a candlelight vigil held on Nov. 2 in remembrance of Zachary and Trinity Allen. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)

Robert and Kathryn Allen, along with Zachary and Trinity’s siblings and other family members, attended the candlelight vigil.

“It really means a lot to see everybody come out,” said sister, Heather Talada, adding, “Zachary was a bright light in my life, and Trinity had a unique way of connecting with people.”

Sister Graysen Talada urged the community to, “Remember how they lived; carefree, innocent and happy.”

Community mourns Allen siblings at vigil 
Family members of Zachary and Trinity Allen, along with event organizers, gather together for a candlelight vigil on Nov. 2 at Owego Elementary School. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)

Kathryn Allen shared, “Trinity was autistic and showed love to us daily, and she shared her world with Zach. Zach often said ‘I Love You’ once for him and once for her, and they also shared things we didn’t understand.”

She further added, “This is a big loss for our family and community, and everything you’ve done is appreciated. I’ll miss giving Trinity one more kiss while holding up the parent drop-off line. We are better off knowing them. To all of you, enjoy what the world has to offer, just like they did.”

In an earlier update on the “Help the Allen Family” GoFundMe page, father Robert Allen poignantly wrote, “Trinity always played and pretended to be a superhero with superpowers. She’ll get that chance as we have decided to donate her organs. Hopefully Trinity can live on and give another child an opportunity to live a fulfilling life.”

Additional updates on the GoFundMe page, added by Robert, state that several of Trinity’s organs were allocated, and as many as five individuals benefited from the donated organs.

Robert wrote, “I’m so proud of the gift our little girl has given to these people.”

The GoFundMe page to help the Allen family remains active for those wishing to donate; visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-allen-family-with-their-tragic-loss.

A fundraier to help with medical expenses for Darlene Allen can be found on Facebook, “Darlene Personal Emergency Fundraiser,” or at https://cutt.ly/UehCxvx

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