Families Of Newtown Massacre Victims Share Memories Of Loved Ones
NEWTOWN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Families of the victims of Friday's Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre have begun sharing more details about their loved ones.
Six-year-old Ana Marquez-Greene came from a musical family.
Her father, jazz musician Jimmy Greene, wrote "As much as she's needed here and missed by her mother, brother and me, Ana beat us all to paradise. I love you sweetie girl."
When first-grader Emilie Parker's aunt and uncle in Texas were having trouble starting a family, Emilie made it her task to pray for them.
"During the prayer she says, 'bless Jeremie and Julie that they'll have a baby.' And I said, 'well, tell Emilie thank you so very much. And he goes, 'you don't understand, this has been going on for six months,'" Emilie's uncle Jeremie told CBS 2's Don Dahler.
Six-year-old Jessica Rekos was remembered as a horse lover who had asked Santa for new cowgirl boots and a cowgirl hat.
In a statement, her family wrote, "We called her our little CEO for the way she carefully thought out and planned everything. We cannot imagine our life without her."
Jesse Lewis also loved horseback riding, and math.
For Olivia Engel, it was dancing and boating.
Charlotte Bacon had her pink dress picked out for the holidays and convinced her mother to let her wear it to school on Friday.
Dylan Hockley's family moved to Connecticut from England last year.
Chase Kowalski was proud of completing, and winning, his first mini-triathlon.
The family of 6-year-old James Mattioli used to joke he was born four weeks early because he was hungry.
Seven-year-old Daniel Barden's family said he was fearless and joyful in life.
"Imaginative in play," Barden's family wrote. "Both intelligent and articulate in conversation; in all a constant source of laughter and joy."
Then, there were the women whose passion for their job cost them their lives.
Rachel Davino, 29, was due to be engaged on Christmas Eve. Her boyfriend asked permission from her family last week.
Lauren Rosseau's family said in a statement, "Lauren wanted to be a teacher from before she even went to kindergarten. we will miss her terribly and will take comfort knowing that she had achieved that dream."
Another teacher, Anne Marie Murphy, was killed trying to shield the children with her body.
"You don't expect your daughter to be murdered," her father said. "It happens on TV. It happens elsewhere."
First grade teacher Victoria Soto was remembered at a vigil on Sunday. The 27-year-old has been hailed for her heroics, shielding her students in exchange for her life.
In all, shooter Adam Lanza killed 20 first graders and six school officials with a semi-automatic rifle before using a semi-automatic handgun to commit suicide as first responders closed in.
The first funerals were held Monday for two of the young boys killed in the assault.
Noah Pozner, the youngest victim, was laid to rest Monday.
His family said Noah loved animals and video games, and called his twin sister, Arielle, his best friend.
Jack Pinto, 6, was also buried on Monday. He was laid to rest in a Victor Cruz Giants jersey, and had dreamed of becoming a professional football player himself.
The 12 little girls and eight little boys killed in Friday's massacre were:
• Charlotte Bacon, 6;
• Daniel Barden, 7;
• Olivia Engel, 6;
• Josephine Gay, 7;
• Dylan Hockley, 6;
• Madeleine Hsu, 6;
• Catherine Hubbard, 6;
• Chase Kowalski, 7;
• Jesse Lewis, 6;
• Ana Marquez-Greene, 6;
• James Mattioli, 6;
• Grace McDonnell, 7;
• Emilie Parker, 6;
• Jack Pinto, 6;
• Noah Pozner, 6;
• Caroline Previdi, 6;
• Jessica Rekos, 6;
• Avielle Richman, 6;
• Benjamin Wheeler, 6;
• Allison Wyatt, 6.
The adult victims were:
• Rachel Davino, 29;
• Dawn Hochsprung, 47, the principal of the school;
• Anne Marie Murphy, 52;
• Lauren Rosseau, 30;
• Mary Sherlach, 56, the school psychologist who planned to retire next year;
• Victoria Soto, 27, a first-grade teacher.
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