Family members of Sofie Jolie Igunbor estimated that more than 100 people attended an evening vigil Thursday on the field of Niles West High School’s Mike Basrak Stadium to remember the 16-year-old, of Morton Grove, who was a junior at the high school.
An obituary for Igunbor states she was a student scholar, and family members indicated she was a talented artist who loved all hues of her favorite color, pink.
Many at the vigil wore white t-shirts with angel wings on the back and a golden halo, and with Sofie’s photo on front with angel wings. Keepsake bracelets in white and soft pink with Sofie’s signature were distributed .
“She loved angels, so I put angel wings on [the bracelets],” said Alfe Salameda of Chicago, vigil co-organizer and an extended family member.
“She was loved by a lot of people,” Salameda said, also stating the family wanted, “to just do something for her and just have the kids and the community come out because they’ve been showing a lot of good support.
“Sofie would have loved it,” Salameda said. “It’s extremely difficult because the day we found out (about Sofie’s passing), her grandfather passed.”
Sofie Igunbor was reportedly last seen April 28, according to a missing persons alert from Morton Grove police, and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office reported she died that evening after 9 p.m. at 24 E. Randolph Street in Chicago. The cause of death was pending.
Sofie was preceded in death by her mother Natalia Vinitchouk.
More Top Picks Best Matcha Electric Whisks
Vigil co-organizer Michael Oiga of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also an extended family member, said, “It’s been tough. She’s very loved.”
A wake for Sofie Igunbor was held immediately before the 45-minute vigil.
During the vigil, a table was placed on the 50 yard line in the field’s center where 16 candles representing the 16 years of Sofie’s life were illuminated. Handheld candles were distributed and Joseph Igunbor, Sofie’s father, asked for a moment of silence.
Chyenne Jordan Igunbor of Traverse City, Michigan, Sofie’s older sister, held an ivory candle, a single light pink rose and a small toy elephant that Sofie had since earlier childhood.
“She was my person, more than a sister, my best friend, my everything. And I’ll always love her,” Chyenne Igunbor said.
Family members who had come from locations such as England, Guam and Nigeria were among well-wishers.
“We have a lot of extended family in from out of town, and having the two deaths in the family has been very traumatic, so with the support of family and the community, we’ll get through this together,” Joseph Igunbor said.