Sister Lakes restaurant Dockside Dan’s is set to host a candlelight vigil on Sunday for employee Grace Locke, who passed away this week after a car crash.
“We are devastated and heartbroken over the loss of one of our Dockside family members, Grace,” said Dockside Dan’s owners Dan LaFond, Alli LaFond and Heather VanAntwerp, in a Facebook post. “Grace has been a beloved part of this restaurant for a few years, bringing a bright smile to work with her every day. She was well-known by our customers and it is difficult to imagine Dockside without her. This tragedy has left a hole in our hearts and we would like to come together to celebrate Grace and help support her family.”
The post said all revenue on Sunday will be donated to Grace’s family, and there will also be a collection box in the restaurant all weekend for those who wish to donate directly to the family. The vigil will take place at 9:30 p.m.
Tributes to Grace have been pouring in on Facebook all week, including the following tribute posted by friend McKenzie Kate:
“To my best friend,
The moment I met you, it was like we were best friends from another life + we hadn’t spent a moment apart. There is no other person on this earth that can replace you. you are more than a best friend to me, you are more than a sister to me and now you are my angel. grace, I love you more than life. I have endless stories and memories. Thank you for being there for me. thank you for picking me up when I was down. I have no words. I can always fix everything, but I cannot fix this.
Grace and I did everything together. From matching nail polish, to scheduling our hair appointments the same week so we had fresh blonde at the same time. Grace and I joked about being polar opposite’s but exactly the same all at once. My country loving friend. My beautiful friend. Everyone you met, you touched. My entire world has been shaken. I know you’re in heaven and I am here and that hurts so bad. There was not a dull moment when we were together, and we spent all of our time together and that’s what held me together.
‘No one really likes us, but us’ was commonly said when we caught ourselves being a little too loud and obnoxious somewhere around others. My heart is so shattered, I love you.”
Details of the crash have not yet been released by authorities. To read more tributes, click here. To contribute to the GoFundMe set up for the family, click here.
(Photo via Facebook)
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
