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Hit-And-Run Driver Kills N.J. Mom Of 5 On Her Way To Church

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- She was on her way to bible study when she was struck and killed and the driver sped off, police said. On Monday, the search was on for a suspect.

The family, which moved here from Mexico seeking a better life, is mourning the sudden death of a wife and mother of five children, reports CBS 2's John Slattery.

"She was wonderful. She was caring. She was the best mother I could ever ask for," Ishell Madira said.

Silvia Reyes-Ramos' children range in age from 8 to 34. The 52-year-old also had seven grandchildren.

She lived only a block away form the Catholic Church of St. Joseph, her intended destination on Friday.

She was only about five doors away form her home, crossing Somerset Street, when she was hit by a fast-moving driver who kept on going.

A memorial is set up where she was struck, and in the family's home. Outside a corner bodega, a security camera captured a picture of the vehicle as it whizzed by. Police are looking for a dark colored Ford Edge SUV.

Her children displayed the contents of her bag that was found at the scene. As for their thoughts about the driver, they expect he or she is doing some soul searching right now.

"We know that she's where she wants to be," Yara Madira said.

"I think that's on his conscience. That's something he's gonna have to worry about. That's something he's gonna have to live with," Ishell Madira added.

The family members voiced uncommon fortitude and forgiveness toward the driver.

"Of course, that's what our mother taught us, not to hold a grudge. Grudges are for ugly people," Ishell Madira said.

So, as police looked for the vehicle on Monday, two daughters walked to a funeral home, carrying their mother's best clothing for the funeral. It's a family of uncommon dignity, appearing to be more concerned about the driver's terrible burden than their own terrible loss.

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