A memorial service was held on Jan.15 for Io Lim Ontiveros, a PAM junior. Io died unexpectedly on Christmas Day.
The memorial was held privately, and her family requested that details of her death are not released.
Io, 16, performed in many plays and musicals on the Hollywood High stage including Cinderella, Much Ado About Nothing and 1660 Vine. She also sang with Show Choir and performed in the Winter Festival, a schoolwide holiday show, on the last day of the fall semester.
“Never once did I ever see her say unkind things to a peer…never once did I hear her say something derogatory nor make a joke at the expense of somebody else,” said John Tourtellotte, theater teacher. “And I think that’s part of the reason why she was and is so beloved by so many. I miss her joy. I miss her kindness. I miss her.”
She was remembered as a social student. “Io was without a doubt the heartbeat of the class,” said Francisco Juarez, her AP U.S. History teacher, “and that heart was taken away.”
Io loved her two cats and wrote poetry, according to her friends.
“I’m so glad I had the privilege of knowing such a beautiful soul; she helped so many students,” said Adela Ramirez, a PAM sophomore.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $61,000 to pay for funeral expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/ios-celebration-of-life-fund
Original source can be found here
