'Lilly's legacy': Family, friends dedicate art garden to late Pine View School student

Gabriela Szymanowska, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·4 min read
Sarah Alexander (center) is comforted by her son, Peter, as she thanks the students, teachers and volunteers who helped to make an artist's garden in honor of her daughter Lilly Glaubach at Pine View School in Osprey on Thursday. Lilly was on her way home from school in August 2022 when she was hit by a car while crossing the street and died due to her injuries.

Butterflies and bumblebees flitted between vibrant native Floridian plants as the humidity spooled around the gathering group of students, teachers, volunteers, family, and friends in the courtyard of Pine View School on Thursday.

The group was celebrating and honoring the legacy of 13-year-old Lilly Glaubach, an 8th-grade student who died 11 days after she was hit by a car in August 2022 while crossing a street near Pine View on her bicycle.

The driver, David Chang, 66, fled the scene and attempted to have the car repaired before he was arrested the day after the crash. Chang was scheduled to be sentenced on Friday after he pleaded no contest to charges of leaving the scene of the crash involving a death and alternating or destroying evidence, but the sentencing was postponed until August 2023.

"Lilly's spirit and memory will live with us forever, and her beautiful smile will be seen in every blossom, in every flower, in every plant, in every thought-provoking quote that you see throughout the garden today," Pine View Principal Stephen Covert said. "And that is a legacy that is positive, inspiring and encouraging to all the students and faculty who will frequent this special artist's garden."

Lilly, 13, lost her life Sunday after succumbing to her injuries from a hit-and-run on August 16. She suffered extensive brain damage.
Lilly, 13, lost her life Sunday after succumbing to her injuries from a hit-and-run on August 16. She suffered extensive brain damage.

Keep reading: Osprey man, 66, pleads no contest to charges for hit-and-run that killed 13-year-old

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Covert began the dedication ceremony of the Pine View Artist's Garden remembering Lilly's bright, artistic spirit. He stood before the garden which included two wind turbines, a sculpture of a silver sphere, and plaques bearing quotes by well-known artists. Hanging on a stone wall at the back of the garden was a plaque dedicated to Lilly.

Looking out into the small crowd gathered in front of the art classroom where the garden was located, Lilly's great-aunt Katy Allen said she hoped the eighth graders present at the dedication reflected on the garden especially since as they enter high school, they have a choice as to the kind of person they want.

"She surrounded herself with good people, with people who were like-minded like her," Allen said, urging the students as they go into ninth grade to be kind to others and make an effort to include them in their friend groups, just like Lilly did.

Pine View School dedicated an artist's garden in honor of Lilly Glaubach, 13, on Thursday. Lilly was an eighth-grade student at the school and died after she was hit by a car in August 2022.
Pine View School dedicated an artist's garden in honor of Lilly Glaubach, 13, on Thursday. Lilly was an eighth-grade student at the school and died after she was hit by a car in August 2022.

Allen's parting message to the students was she hoped they'd come to the "unbelievable space and reflect" and one day, tell their own children the story of Lilly.

"She will remain with you forever and that is truly the best way to honor this beautiful child," Allen said.

Lilly's family also gathered at the podium to remember Lilly's beautiful soul and her love of art and nature and thank those who made it possible. Sarah Alexander, Lilly's mom, thanked those who had contributed to turning the barren patch of land into a thriving garden for Lilly.

"We are comforted by the knowledge that she is remembered, and her legacy will live on through this beautiful memorial," Alexander said, her words catching in her throat.

'Lilly's legacy': Outgoing, one-of-a-kind and carefree

Three of Lilly Glaubach's close friends, Charlotte, Niya and Kiana (left to right), shared memories of their late friend during a dedication of an artist's garden in Lilly's memory at Pine View School in Osprey on Thursday. Lilly, 13, died from injuries she sustained after she was hit by a car in August 2022 while crossing the street on her bike.
Three of Lilly Glaubach's close friends, Charlotte, Niya and Kiana (left to right), shared memories of their late friend during a dedication of an artist's garden in Lilly's memory at Pine View School in Osprey on Thursday. Lilly, 13, died from injuries she sustained after she was hit by a car in August 2022 while crossing the street on her bike.

Three of Lilly's close friends, Niya, Charlotte, and Kiana, remembered their close friend for bringing their group together.

"She was so one-of-a-kind because I feel like so many people are afraid to talk to people, or afraid to, like middle school's hard, and Lilly just made it so much better," Kiana said after the ceremony when asked what she'd like people to remember about Lilly. "So, if there could be more people like Lilly, that'd be amazing."

Niya chimed in recalling that "Lilly was such an outgoing and loving person."

During the ceremony, the three friends shared their memories of Lilly and how their friendship blossomed, especially as they got off task during art class or procrastinated on projects by watching movies like The Lorax and Scream.

Kiana recalled during the ceremony how Lilly had invited her to her table in art class, a gesture that could seem insignificant to some, but for Kiana, it was a gesture she'll never forget.

"Also, I just want to mention, I want people to know how carefree she was. She was one of those friends if you were worrying about something, she would just be like 'It doesn't matter, don't worry about it,'" Kiana said. "She was never insecure. She did anything she wanted to at any point in time. Nothing ever held her back."

"I hope everyone has a Lilly in their life," Charlotte said.

Pine View School in Osprey dedicated an Artist's Garden to late eighth grader, Lilly Glaubach, and hosted a small dedication ceremony on Thursday. Family, friends, students and faculty gathered at the school in the early afternoon to celebrate Lilly's legacy.
Pine View School in Osprey dedicated an Artist's Garden to late eighth grader, Lilly Glaubach, and hosted a small dedication ceremony on Thursday. Family, friends, students and faculty gathered at the school in the early afternoon to celebrate Lilly's legacy.

Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Pine View School dedicates artist's garden to late 8th grader Lilly