LIVERPOOL, NY (WSYR-TV) - As dozens of people strapped on stilettos to march across Onondaga Lake Park in memory of a young mother from Auburn, Katie Socci's dad had mixed emotions.
"This scholarship is really the perfect way to memorialize somebody. Our daughter loved what she did. She loved the people she worked with. This is their little way of saying thank you," John Socci reflected.
Katie Socci was a nurse before she suddenly died last summer, leaving behind a young child. Her devastated friends in Auburn wanted to do something special for the Socci family. Their goal is to establish a nursing scholarship for a student at Cayuga Community College. A 5K walk/run dubbed the "Socci Stiletto Stampede" was held to raise money for the fund.
"It was a great privilege to be able to do this in Katie's name," said organizer Karrie Glatt. "There is always a little sorrow with it that she couldn't be here and we had to do it for this reason. but it's great to pass her legacy and love of nursing on."
The only person of interest in the case, Socci's ex-boyfriend David McNamara, is in prison on unrelated drug charges. Prosecutors filed an appeal to get a murder indictment reinstated. They expect a decision in September.
While they wait, Socci's mother remains focused on the support around her.
"Katie's name will keep going and Sydney will know what a great mother she had," said Tina Socci. "I think it's just amazing."
