LEWISTON, NY (WKBW) – December 10, 2004. This is the day when the lives of Alexis Kraft and Richard Hill changed forever.
“She was our whole world,” Kraft said.
Renee Hill was a 16-year-old student at Niagara Wheatfield High School. She was the eldest of four children.
“She was definitely a bearish mother. She could put them in line quickly, but she was loving and everyone loved her, ”said Kraft.
“Everyone loved her,” Hill said.
Alexis Kraft
Her parents say Renee liked the lacrosse. Her coach, Joe Kiszka, said that she is silent but intimidating and that she is a strong and silent leader. He said she was afraid of Renee on the field, but she was an absolute lover off the field.
“We would love to go and watch her play lacrosse because she was really amazing. All the parents and all the other girls in the team called her a beast because, once she arrives on the field, she will have a hard time, ”said Kraft.
Alexis Kraft
But Renee’s life ended tragically on Saturday morning, when she went breast-hunting at Clyde L. Burmaster Park in Lewiston.
“He had come down the hill. She had my 3-year-old nephew with her. He saw the tree coming. Her first instinct was to put her foot down and roll over the sleigh so that my nephew would not be hurt. He hit the tree. Her heart stopped on the way to the hospital, “Kraft said.
Her parents said Renee died rescuing her 3-year-old cousin.
“Everyone calls her a hero. But this was my baby,” Kraft said.
Alexis Kraft
Renee’s parents thank the community for their support at such a difficult time.
“Don’t take a minute of your own for your kids. Tell them you love them. Every minute. Every chance you get,” Kraft said.
There is a GoFundMe created to help the family.