Hundreds of people packed into Washington Crossing United Methodist Church in Upper Makefield Township Thursday evening to honor the memory of victims of last Saturday’s deadly flash flood.
Friends, family, and complete strangers gathered together through prayer and song to mourn the loss of Enzo Depiero, 78, and Linda Depiero, 74, of Newtown Township; Susan Barnhart, 53, of Titusville, New Jersey; Yuko Love, 64, of Newtown Township; and Katheryn “Katie” Seley, 32, of Charleston, South Carolina.
Police and emergency crews were continuing an ongoing search for two of Seley’s children: Matilda “Mattie” Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months, who are still missing.
The flash flood struck in a matter of minutes as Washington Crossing’s Houghes Creek flooded a portion of 532, sweeping away at least 11 cars. Around seven inches of rain fell in just 45 minutes in Upper Makefield Township, resulting in a deadly flood and a community reeling from an unfathomable loss of life.
“It’s times like these that we need to know that we are not alone,” said Crossings Lead Pastor George Clash, who invited all to attend the prayer vigil regardless of faith or background.
Clash spoke with a heavy heart for the victims of the deadly flood, expressing deep sorrow that seemed to echo through the room of worship. Many in attendance wiped tears from their faces as others lent a shoulder to their fellow neighbors. Several of the victims’ family members were also in attendance for the vigil.
During the tragic events of last weekend, Crossings Church was utilized as a staging area for first responders, families, and media with church leaders doing their best to assist in any way possible.
Amazingly, first responders were already in the area of the church due to a reported lightning strike when word came that a flash flood was occurring just around the corner. Had the responders not been so close and able to respond so quickly, other lives may have been lost.
Crossings is continuing to offer support to the community via counseling and faith services aimed at helping anyone in need.
“To our Upper Makefield community, we are deeply grieved at the unimaginable pain that these families have suffered as a result of the flash flooding that happened this past Saturday evening,” according to church officials.
“We are thankful for all of the first responders who have been working tirelessly to rescue and recover those who were swept away by the flood. We are grateful that our church facility could be utilized to help with those search efforts and we stand in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones,” said church officials.
At one point during the service, first responders who have diligently participated in the rescue and recovery effort were given a standing ovation. Many who were in attendance were even brought to tears by the kind gesture.
The service was punctuated by a candlelight vigil where each mourner held a candle in remembrance of those who lost their lives.
Jim Sheils, father of Mattie and Conrad and partner to Seley, survived the flood, along with Seley’s 4-year-old son and her mother after all three were rescued. Dave Love, husband of Yuko, also survived the flood even as his wife did not. They were married for over 30 years. Enzo and Linda Depiero were married for over 40 years.
The Garden of Reflection in Yardley will host a night of unity to honor the victims of the flood this Sunday at 7 p.m. Crossings Church is also collecting donations for families affected by the flood.
In addition, multiple GoFundMe campaigns have been created to lend a helping hand, including for Susan Barnhart’s family, which has raised over $30,000, and for the Sheils family, which has raised over $216,000.
All five victims of the flood were active members of their communities known for their kindness and generosity. If Thursday’s prayer vigil was any indication, they will all be sorely missed.
