Walnutport mother Traci Hafner is continuing to honor her late son after his tragic passing in a West Chester car accident last month, writes Sam Gilette for People.
Hafner’s son Garrett Nicholas, a junior at West Chester University, sadly passed away when he was struck by a car near campus. He was 21 years old.
As she grieves through her first Mother’s Day without her son, Hafner is reflecting on Garrett’s impact on both their family and the greater community.
Garrett walked his mother down the aisle at her second wedding in 2014. He and his stepsister both attended WCU, where he studied business administration.
Garrett immediately formed a strong community in college, joining a fraternity and making close friends.
Hafner and her husband Travis saw Garrett the day before his death when they visited campus for Family Weekend on April 11. Early the next morning, he was struck by a car and died at Paoli Hospital several hours later.
As Hafner and the West Chester community continue to mourn Garrett’s loss, the sadness is joined by a celebration of Garrett’s life and legacy, especially his kindness and generosity as an organ donor.
Hafner invites the community to remember her son through her #BeLikeGarrett posts on social media. In a Mother’s Day Facebook post this Sunday, Hafner wrote, “Thank you Garrett for being you. You will always be the greatest thing to ever happen to me.”
Read more about Traci Hafner and the local mother’s reflection following her first Mother’s Day without her son in People.
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