By Karen Mansfield

Staff writer

karenm@observer-reporter.com

Friends, family, co-workers and community members grieving after the horrific April 24 accident that claimed the lives of five residents and employees of a Bentleyville group home and left six others injured attended a prayer service Thursday night at First Presbyterian Church in Bentleyville.

About 50 people gathered at the church on Main Street, where they sang, read Scripture and prayed for the victims and their families.

Nine residents and two staff members of the Mental Health Association of Washington County group home were in a van headed to Pittsburgh Zoo when it was struck broadside by a tractor-trailer at Brownlee Road and Route 136 in Somerset Township about 10 a.m. Police said the van driver, staff member Sheryl Maiolini, pulled into the path of the truck.

"We miss them dearly," said Lisa Foltz, a therapeutic activity aide at the personal care home, a residential facility for 12 patients.

Killed in the accident were Maiolini, staff member Mary Watkins and residents John Maise, Richard Paquet and Julie Hugus.

Duane Bell, Norma Tellman, Lawrence Corey, Kim Sickles, Dana Guiley and Sandra Mrock were hurt in the crash. The truck driver, Stephen Rouse of Ohio, was not injured.

"We don't have a great deal to say directly to you tonight," said the Rev. Andrew Scott, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, who prayed for strength and healing, both physical and spiritual, for those touched by the tragedy. "There are no answers."

Sister Martha Thomas Baier of Ave Maria Parish in Ellsworth, who participated in the service, said the accident and its aftermath are "heartbreaking."

"What do you say? How do you express what happened?" asked Baier.

Mary Watkins prepared 7- and 8-year-olds for first Holy Communion at the parish, where her caring spirit was well known.

"She was for those people at the home. She took them to lunch, to the park, she wanted them to see the joy in living," said Baier.

The Rev. Michael Goodling and the Rev. Sang Choi also took part in the memorial, which Scott believes was an important step toward healing.

"It was very important for a number of people who haven't gotten to attend the funerals and for those members of the community who maybe didn't feel comfortable attending private funerals, but still wanted to say goodbye to their neighbors," said Scott.

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