Lauren's Light Donations Grow In Memory Of Aberdeen Teen

ABERDEEN, NJ — The memory of a local young woman is being honored with many donations and heartfelt words of support expressed on a funding site that will help other female students pursue their educational goals.

Lauren Hewski was an excellent student and athlete at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel.

She was to graduate this June and go on to the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

She lost her life in a car accident in Colts Neck on May 11, on the way back from a commencement ceremony after she achieved her associate's degree at Brookdale Community College, from which she graduated in an early degree program.

Now the Lauren's Light fund has been established by her family, and it has received nearly $80,000 to create a foundation to help young women with their education, the site says.

The site is accepting donations and can be accessed through this link.

Lauren was to attend the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Syracuse University in New York state. The university refers to the school as "a community of scholars who believe that responsible citizenship is not just a concept; it's the active, ongoing pursuit to empower a more healthy and inclusive society."

She served on U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone's Youth Advisory Council, and he recalled her role.

"She brought passion and optimism to every meeting," he said of her, and he expressed his sympathy for her family and loved ones.

This week will offer friends, family and her high school community opportunities to pay their respects.

A first visitation was Wednesday at Shore Point Funeral Home, 3269 Route 35 North, Hazlet.

On Thursday, family, friends and high school students, faculty and staff are invited to visit from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel. Lauren was a student at St. John Vianney and the school held a memorial Mass for her last Friday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, May 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, according to the arrangements.

In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made through the GoFundMe site to Lauren’s Light.

Lauren is survived by her parents, Dennis and Kimberly (Mennona) Hewski; her grandparents, Dennis Hewski, Catherine Rutkowski Hewski, and Cynthia Steindecker Mennona and a large extended family, according to her obituary provided by Shore Point Funeral Home in Hazlet.