Fund set up in memory of girl killed in crash
Friends have set up a memorial fund for the 17-year-old Mililani girl who died when the car in which she was riding crashed into a tree Feb. 23 in Mililani, pinning her inside.
Gillian Badua was the only daughter of Michaele (pronounced Michelle) Badua, a divorced mother who also has three sons.
Friend Laura Matsuoka has set up the fund to help defray the costs of the burial plot, funeral services and associated expenses. Donations will be accepted at any First Hawaiian Bank and should be made out to the "Friends of Gillian Badua."
After Michaele and Loreto Badua divorced, Michaele Badua joined the Air Force Reserves to support her family. She asked Matsuoka to take in Gillian while she went to boot camp for six weeks.
Gillian and Matsuoka's daughter were best friends since the fourth grade. Between Gillian's grandmother and Matsuoka, the girl was cared for during her mother's tours of duty in the Middle East and elsewhere. She was stationed in Afghanistan when a relative called to tell her that her daughter had died.
"Gillian was like my daughter," Matsuoka said. "I took her to buy her first bra."
She added, "I was fortunate to have her in my life. She was a spunky, courageous, smart, headstrong girl."
Services, open to the public, will be held 6:30 p.m. March 12, in the mauka chapel at Mililani Memorial Park; visitation will be from 5 p.m. Services will also be held 11:45 a.m. March 13; visitation will be from 8:30 a.m.
Any leftover money will be given to the Hawaii Community Foundation and used to set up a scholarship in Gillian Badua's name.