About three dozen loved ones joined together for a candlelight vigil in the Tower District Saturday night to remember 46-year old Lisa Gilvary.
“I think it has opened our eyes to the person she really was. A unique individual with a huge heart for others,” said Michael Tempesta, the father of Gilvary’s child.
“She’s given me strength and she’s given me courage,” said Katie Lung, Tempesta and Gilvary’s daughter.
Katie remembers her mom as kind and generous.
“If she saw a man sitting on the floor who looked hungry or homeless or needed some water, my mom was the one to offer her hands and show somebody there’s life,” said Lung.
“She’d give you her last dollar or share her last bit of food and I mean with anybody. She was a caring, giving person,” said Tempesta.
It was this past Monday morning that Lisa was stabbed to death in the doorway of her apartment. The accused killer, 25 year old Michael Crockell who is now in jail, was recently released from state prison during the realignment phase. Crockell also allegedly used a knife to injure the responding Fresno police officer, Jonathan Linzey, as well as Gilvary’s 20-year old roommate. Many believe Lisa gave her life trying to save that young woman.
“She’d protect anybody, even a stranger,” said Nikki Borraccino, Gilvary’s friend.
During this sad time for everyone, Katie feels a sense of joy; she feels inspired.
“Because I feel like this was something meant to be to maybe open my eyes to the community and to seeing there’s a lot of people out there that need help and I would like to continue her legend of doing that,” said Lung.
The suspect, Michael Crockell, is scheduled to be in court on Thursday. It’s an important moment for Lisa’s family because that’s when prosecutors should give them clear details as to what lead to her death.
