Remembering Vahnne: Community attends tribute for Lehighton girl who died in fire last year

Clusters of lights illuminated the chilly night sky in Summit Hill on Saturday as a crowd of family, friends and community members released lanterns in memory of Vahnne Gower.

As the sun set, clusters of people assembled near the playground adjacent to Ginder Field. Over the course of a few moments, easily 100 people or more had amassed to pay their respects to Vahnne, who died in a house fire in July.

“We had originally had a benefit in September after the fire, which was very successful. This was supposed to be a part of it, after the event, but due to the weather, we couldn’t do it,” organizer and family friend Sherry Shellhammer said.

Unfortunately, the event was postponed again in October due to weather-related issues.

“So, the family chose to do it today, because today is her birthday,” Shellhammer said.

Shellhammer has been helping the family extensively since the tragedy struck. A co-worker of Julie Gower, Vahnne’s mother, she helped set up a Poker Run, a pig roast, a Chinese auction, and several other fundraising efforts for the family.

As twilight set in, the crowd moved to the open field, where Summit Hill Mayor Paul McArdle commended the crowd for the support they provided to the Gowers.

“It gives me great pride to see our community, along with other communities, who have stepped up in support of the Gower family during their time of need. As I look over the crowd, a saying comes to mind: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ I certainly see that represented here tonight,” McArdle said.

Following a reading of Psalm 23, Lehigh Valley Church of Christ minister Derrick Bean offered a special prayer to the Gower family in their time of mourning.

“While this little child Vahnne’s life on Earth is done, her life beyond has just begun,” he said. “With that release, we lose her and let her go into your arms, then by faith, receive and return the boundless comfort of your presence. That is all, father God, that is enough. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”

Before the launch of the lanterns, Troy Gower, who stood next to his wife, Julie, and son, Trey, took a moment to remember the little things about Vahnne that made her who she was.

As Troy spoke, his voice hoarse but filled with love and passion, he listed his little girl’s qualities, asking the crowd to acknowledge or cheer when they recognized those same attributes in Vahnne. Hands would shoot in the air and shouts of support would call out for every descriptor he listed.

“Vahnne, she wasn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty. Whatever it is that her and I held in common, gardening or cooking, she wasn’t afraid to get in there and get a little messy,” he said.

He told of her progress in Girl Scouts, and how she had received her Junior Wings just before the fire, as well as her dedication to all of her interests, whether she held a talent for them or not.

While those in attendance could see and hear the pain in Troy’s speech, there were moments of laughter and smiles as he channeled amusing anecdotes about his beloved daughter.

“She was in dance for five years, and if you knew Vahnne, she wasn’t that coordinated,” he said with a chuckle, the crowd responding in kind.

“But, she stuck with dance as long as she could before she lost interest. The next couple of years after that, playing ‘Just Dance’ with me and Trey and her mom, it was evident that her coordination finally came about.”

Vahnne’s passion for academics was well-noted in her family and among her teachers, as she was always on top of her schoolwork. Troy chuckled as he commented that she was one of the few children who looked forward to test-taking.

“The night before she was taking it, she said, ‘I have to go to bed early. I have to get up and have a good breakfast, because I have to do well on these PSSAs.’ And it’s funny because she did. She tested number one in her class in ELA. Go figure, right?” Troy said.

Vahnne was well-loved among friends, filling her calendar with birthday parties, play dates and other special events. She held her family close, and always enjoyed her time with them.

“She enjoyed her time playing with Trey. She really looked up to her brother. We had a lot of good times together. We had Nerf wars in the basement that got way out of hand, way too intense, but we had a lot of fun. She loved to snuggle and bake with her mom, especially cookies. She was very proud of being the daughter of a pretty good teacher, and a very pretty one,” he said, looking to Julie with a smile.

Troy fondly recalled a bedtime ritual between Vahnne and himself, ‘The Tiger.’

“I would get down on all fours, and she would jump on my back, and we would proceed to terrorize the household. It was pretty fun. She would get off me, brush her teeth and get back on. Then I would go into her bedroom, flip her on her bed and it would be time to say good night. I really miss that,” he said.

As the field delved into darkness, Troy, with Julie and Trey by his side, thanked the crowd and made one last request, that everyone could remember Vahnne as she was — a loving, thoughtful, dedicated, intelligent and all-around wonderful person.