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Community gathers to show support for and celebrate the Stay family

By: Denise McLean
| Published 07/15/2014

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KLEIN, TX – Braving the blinding July sun, hundreds of supporters gathered at Lemm Elementary School Saturday, July 12, to be together as they celebrated the lives of the Stay family.

‘We Will Stay Strong’


As the crowd began to swell and families and friends embraced for support, a sweet melody seemed to float above the hushed tones coming from the crowd.

“It was the day the world went wrong,” the song said. “I screamed ‘til my voice was gone. And watched through the tears as everything came crashing down.”

It was as if a singular nerve had been struck amongst the crowd. You could feel the electricity as everyone slowly tuned in to the lyrics, their attention now focused to the stage.

The song, "Beauty Will Rise" by Steven Curtis Chapman, went on to say, “Buried deep beneath all our broken dreams, we have this hope. Out of the ashes… beauty will rise.”

And that’s exactly what happened as Cassidy Stay made her way to the stage just one day after being released from the hospital.

"I am really thankful for all of the people who have been praying for me and keeping me and my family in their thoughts,” Cassidy said. “I want to thank all the first responders, nurses and doctors that have taken care of me. I am feeling a lot better and I am on a very straightforward path to a full recovery."

Cassidy, who was shot during the attack that took the lives of her parents, Stephen, 39, and Katie, 34, and four siblings, Bryan, 13, Emily, 9, Rebecca, 7, and Zach, 4, told the crowd that she “will be able to see my family again one day” and that they “are in a much better place now.”

Those in attendance also heard from Klein ISD teachers and principals of the younger Stay children. Lemm Elementary School Principal Kathy Brown addressed everyone first.

“I stand here not as one, but as one of thousands wanting to share memories and prayers with others about Katie, Stephen, Bryan, Emily, Becca, and Zachary,” she said. “If I was asked to describe this family with just one word, it would be love. The love they showed each other and everyone everyday was just amazing.”

Roger Lyon, Stay’s grandfather and father of Katie Stay, also talked of love. The love he and his family have received from the community.

“The outpouring of support from the community, from law enforcement, from our church, from the hospital personnel, from our neighbors, and even from people we’ve never met has been tremendous and overwhelming,” he said. “It has given us great strength and will continue to do so while we work through this difficult time.”

Cassidy ended the ceremony with a passage by character Albus Dumbledore from one of her favorite books: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

“Dumbledore says: ‘Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light,’ ” she said before continuing on. “Thank you all for coming and showing your support for me and my family. Stay Strong.”

The family is asking members of the community to make donations to help support Cassidy. Her family has created a trust called the Stay Family Memorial Fund. All funds in excess of burial and medical costs will be used to provide support for Cassidy and her family.

Those wishing to donate by mail can do so at: Stay Family Memorial Fund c/o Amegy Bank, 18311 Kuykendahl Rd., Spring, TX 77379. Donations can be made online to the link provided.

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