By Jeff Slovin, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Although her life was tragically cut short last fall, the memory of Lizzi Marriott will live on, thanks to a fund set up by her family, the Lizzi Marriott Intrepid Explorer Fund.
Lizzi, a 2010 graduate of Westborough High School, was a student at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) studying marine biology when she was allegedly killed by a New Hampshire man in October 2012. Her body has not yet been found.
But it was Lizzi's passion for life that was the focus of a fundraiser held at the Acacia at Indian Meadows Country Club in Westborough Jan. 26. Nearly 700 attended the event, titled “A Night in Remembrance of Lizzi Marriott,” which featured refreshments, auctions, raffles, and music and dancing to the central Mass. band, “Outta Commission”.
Proceeds from the event went to the fund Lizzi's family established to raise funds for scholarships for young adults looking to embrace an education and life working in marine sciences.? The event was sponsored by the Westboro Athletic and Social Association, which sold over 550 advanced tickets to the event, and approximately 100 more at the door.
Robert Marriott, Lizzi's father, spoke briefly at the event. He urged those attending to remember Lizzi's “fun and silly side, and to most of all have fun, that's what I want you to remember.” He added that through the fund, the money raised will “help many other teenagers become prominent figures who will protect our oceans and teach us about the wonders of our surrounding waters.”
Dr. Jonathan R.? Pennock, director of the marine program at UNH, also spoke at the event, introducing himself as one who was “representing the university community that still has a heavy heart.”
“Your support this evening for the fund that's being set up is incredibly important to honor Lizzi but also moving forward and supporting students like Lizzi,” he said. “There's a whole heck of a lot we don's know about our oceans. There really is an opportunity for exploration; that's what “Lizzi the Intrepid Explorer” is all about.”
Carli Barnes said she grew up with Lizzi in Westborough.
The event was “comforting,” she said.
And noting that monies raised would help other young adults further their education, she added, “Not everything coming out of this tragedy has to be sad.”
For more information on the fund visit http://www.rememberlizzi.org.
