Las Vegas NowCandlelight Vigil for Polly Gonzalez

Candlelight Vigil for Polly Gonzalez

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Dozens of people who loved Polly Gonzalez came together on Tuesday night to share stories and comfort each other through the loss.

They gathered at a local park near Polly's home to honor her memory. Friends, neighbors and colleagues prayed and celebrated Polly's life.

"She has touched my life as well as thousands of people's lives here in Las Vegas," said one woman.

Another remembered her first meeting with Polly. "I actually met her in a parking lot. I went up to her and I said, 'I just want to tell you that you're doing a great job on the tv.'"

"I was touched all the time by her happy spirit, and her smile and the way she was always so down to earth," said another.

Several children were at the vigil and seemingly too young to understand were drawn to tears.

"She's a really good mother. I highly respect her. She has so much love and those girls. It just shines right through. They're the happiest sweetest girls, and they're always hugging you. They're so genuine, and they got that from their mother," said Jennifer Bradley, friend.

"I just really am going to miss her a lot. She was a wonderful person," said Janet Cowan, friend.

As the flames from their candles danced in the evening wind, they consoled each other with heart-felt hugs struggling to find reason in this sudden tragedy.

"There's a lot of trials in our life for various reasons, but if we can grow stronger through them, then that's the purpose," said Linda Wahl, friend.

Polly's self-made purpose in life was to encourage others to do good. To be a shining light in the eyes of everyone she met.

Polly's funeral will be held in her hometown of San Jose on Sunday. The funeral is at 11 a.m. with a viewing at 10 a.m. The location is the Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125. Details on a Las Vegas event are still pending.

Click here to email Reporter Atle Erlingsson.