The Kylie Ann Turczyn Memorial Benefit; Celebrating A Beautiful Life
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: October 8, 2012
It was a tragedy that resulted in two deaths. As you may remember from
June, Kylie Turcyzn of Deerfield was murdered and her 4-year-old
daughter Gabby witnessed it all. But, after 4 months of grieving, family
and friends are moving forward. Eyewitness News was invited to the
Kylie Ann Turczyn Memorial Benefit and spoke with Kylie's family.
In recent months, our community has dealt with far too many domestic violence cases. But Kylie's benefit was not about tragedy, it was about celebrating a beautiful life. Kylie's family and friends and they say through all the sadness, they're still finding the light in the darkness.
"She had the bluest eyes and the prettiest smile," says Amanda Henkle, Kylie's sister.
"Shes always been a special girl, always made everybody laugh and really lit up the world around her," says Doug McGregor, Kylie's stepfather.
"It's really crazy to know that we're here for my sister - whose not here anymore," says Henkle.
Family members recall some of their favorite memories with Kylie.
"She loved to dance, if you put some music on, she would just start dancing in the middle of the night night, early in the morning, cleaning the house - she was just the life of the party," says Henkle.
"Kylie was a joker, always had a good time, and always had a smile on her face, raised everybody's feelings around her and I think that spirit has been here today. She's smiling down on us," says McGregor.
Friends and family say that for this 1 day, they're not thinking about the tragedy. Instead, it's a day to celebrate Kylie's life and Gabby's future.
"The look on Gabby's face when she walked through the door," says Kimberly Artessa, Kylie's aunt.
All of the donations raised are going toward an educational fund for Kylie's 4-year-old daughter Gabby.
"The reality of a celebration set in by the look on her face; Just knowing that all of these people were here and it was about her mommy and about her. It touched my heart in a way words can never express," says Artessa.
"We're helping to take care of Gabby once she's older and like I said, we wanted to celebrate Kylie's life. And to have all these people come here for the dual reason of Kylie and Gabby, I think its just tremendous," says Andy Artessa, Kylie's uncle.
"She's here today. We're just having a good time and keeping Gabby busy, and looking to the future. It's the best thing for her right now," says Henkle.
Kylie's family says 600 people came out to the benefit, more than 200 businesses donated items or money, and thousands of dollars were raised to support Gabby's future. And, they say it's not done quite yet - There will be many more events to come.
In recent months, our community has dealt with far too many domestic violence cases. But Kylie's benefit was not about tragedy, it was about celebrating a beautiful life. Kylie's family and friends and they say through all the sadness, they're still finding the light in the darkness.
"She had the bluest eyes and the prettiest smile," says Amanda Henkle, Kylie's sister.
"Shes always been a special girl, always made everybody laugh and really lit up the world around her," says Doug McGregor, Kylie's stepfather.
"It's really crazy to know that we're here for my sister - whose not here anymore," says Henkle.
Family members recall some of their favorite memories with Kylie.
"She loved to dance, if you put some music on, she would just start dancing in the middle of the night night, early in the morning, cleaning the house - she was just the life of the party," says Henkle.
"Kylie was a joker, always had a good time, and always had a smile on her face, raised everybody's feelings around her and I think that spirit has been here today. She's smiling down on us," says McGregor.
Friends and family say that for this 1 day, they're not thinking about the tragedy. Instead, it's a day to celebrate Kylie's life and Gabby's future.
"The look on Gabby's face when she walked through the door," says Kimberly Artessa, Kylie's aunt.
All of the donations raised are going toward an educational fund for Kylie's 4-year-old daughter Gabby.
"The reality of a celebration set in by the look on her face; Just knowing that all of these people were here and it was about her mommy and about her. It touched my heart in a way words can never express," says Artessa.
"We're helping to take care of Gabby once she's older and like I said, we wanted to celebrate Kylie's life. And to have all these people come here for the dual reason of Kylie and Gabby, I think its just tremendous," says Andy Artessa, Kylie's uncle.
"She's here today. We're just having a good time and keeping Gabby busy, and looking to the future. It's the best thing for her right now," says Henkle.
Kylie's family says 600 people came out to the benefit, more than 200 businesses donated items or money, and thousands of dollars were raised to support Gabby's future. And, they say it's not done quite yet - There will be many more events to come.
