TOWN OF LEWISTON, NY (WKBW) – December 10, 2004. That’s the day the lives of Alexis Kraft and Richard Hill changed forever.
“She was our whole world,” said Kraft.
Renee Hill was a 16-year-old sophomore at Niagara Wheatfield High School. She was the oldest of four children.
‘She was definitely a mama bear. She was able to get them in line very quickly, but she was loving and they all loved her, ”said Kraft.
“Everyone loved her,” said Hill.
Alexis Kraft
Her parents say Renee loved lacrosse. Her coach, Joe Kiszka, said she was quiet but intimidating and a strong silent leader. He said Renee was feared on the field, but off the field she was an absolute sweetheart.
“We would love to see her play lacrosse because she was really great. All the parents and all the other girls on the team called her the beast because once she got on the field she would just go really hard, ‘said Kraft.
Alexis Kraft
But Renee’s life came to a sudden, tragic end on Saturday morning when she went tobogganing with her cousins in Clyde L. Burmaster Park in the town of Lewiston.
She had gone down the hill. She had my 3 year old nephew with her. She saw the tree coming. Her first instinct was to put her foot on the ground and turn the sled so that my nephew wouldn’t get hurt. She hit the tree. Her heart stopped on the way to the hospital, ”Kraft said.
Her parents said Renee died while rescuing her 3-year-old cousin.
Everyone calls her a hero. But that was my baby, ”Kraft said.
Alexis Kraft
Renee’s parents thank the community for their support in such a difficult time.
Don’t take a minute for granted with your babies. Tell them you love them. Every minute. Any chance you get, ”Kraft said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family.