Family, schoolmates mourn accident victim Family, schoolmates mourn accident victim (December 31, 2004)

Marissa Hunt, 10, killed on way to sledding hill
by Jeb Bing

Several hundred family friends and schoolmates were expected to fill Valley Community Church yesterday to pay tribute to 10-year-old Marissa Hunt, a fifth-grade student at Walnut Grove Elementary School who was killed in a car accident Dec. 22.

Marissa was sitting behind her mother Kimberly, who was driving the family's 1994 Isuzu Trooper eastbound on State Route 108 near Yosemite, when an out-of-control speeding Honda careened off the westbound lanes and across the divided four-lane highway median into the Trooper. The young girl was killed instantly and her mother, who is a special needs physical education teacher with the Pleasanton school district, was seriously injured. A third passenger in the car, Nicole Ponzini, also 10, received minor injuries. Both the driver of the Honda and a passenger also were killed.

The Hunts and others were traveling to Little Sweden, a popular sled hill located off Route 108, for an afternoon of winter snow sledding.

"Marissa was a delightful girl, always smiling and such a joy to have in school," said Walnut Grove Principal Bill Radulovich. "All of us are going to miss her."

Radulovich planned a potluck reception at the school after the funeral service, and also will host a coffee for parents at 8:15 a.m. Monday when classes resume after the Christmas break to discuss coping with death and the grieving process. A team of counselors and psychologists will be available for students, staff and parents.

At the family home on Tuesday, where funeral arrangements were being prepared, Christmas presents remained unopened as the family sorted through school, soccer and 4-H photos of Marissa. A photo of the girl with a pig she had raised for showing at last summer's County Fair was posted outside on the door of the Hunts' Skimmer Court home in the Birdland community, where friends had left flowers and cards of sympathy.

Last Monday, Sharon Anderson who provides after-school day care, where Marissa was enrolled, held a commemorative service where the other students drew pictures and wrote messages on balloons that they then released skyward.

Besides her mother, Marissa is survived by her father Charles and a brother Kenny.

A memorial fund has been established. Contributions should be sent to the Marissa Hunt Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of Walnut Creek, 249 Main St., Pleasanton, CA 94566.

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