Columba College pupil Lucy Williams (17) died on Boxing Day, after spending several weeks on life support at Dunedin Hospital.
She suffered critical injuries in a two-vehicle crash, on State Highway 1, south of Balclutha, on December 5.
Yesterday, Lucy’s aunt Jackie Ollerenshaw and Columba principal Pauline Duthie both spoke to the Otago Daily Times, helping paint a picture of a vivacious, sporty young woman who had a bright future.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Ollerenshaw said the "farm girl" from Kuriwao, near Clinton, was loved by relatives and friends for her kindness, quick wit, and loyalty.
"We’re a very close family, and Lucy was more of a sister to my children than a cousin.
"Children absolutely adored her. They would always say, ‘Lucy actually plays with us; when’s Lucy coming?"’
She said her niece’s "cruisy, cheeky" character made her the "life of the party", and she would leave a huge gap for all who knew her.
"She moved in so many circles both here in South Otago and in Dunedin, and she was a vital part of people’s lives."
A talented touch and netball player, she also loved being outdoors at home on the farm.
"She was a bit of an enigma, really.
"She’d be out on the farm mucking in, but still looking glamorous, and always ready for a selfie."
Her niece had begun to consider a career in early childhood education, or beauty therapy, Mrs Ollerenshaw said.
Mrs Duthie said Lucy’s fellow pupils, with whom she would have entered year 13 next year, would feel her loss "acutely".
"Our heart goes out to the Williams family. This is just an incredibly sad thing to happen to a lovely, bright girl who had her whole life ahead of her," Mrs Duthie said.
She said the boarder was a "great all-rounder" who approached everything she did with an "appetite for life".
"Lucy was involved in everything going. She was just a really neat kid."
The school would make available additional pastoral support for pupils next term, Mrs Duthie said.
Lucy is survived by parents Sean and Belinda, sister Madi (18), and brother Sam (15).
A celebration of her life will be held at the Clinton Community Centre at 1.30pm on Saturday.
