Hilton memorializes 2 children killed by father 10 years ago

HILTON, N.Y. (WHEC) — People in Hilton came out to remember two little girls on Monday.

Noel Parcells, 10 along with her 3-year-old half-sister, Mia Parcells, were killed by their father 10 years ago this Labor Day weekend.

Raechel Coffey, Noel’s mother, organized the memorial at Village Elementary School where Noel was a student to mark the 10 years since the girls were taken from her.

“It’s a big milestone – 10 years – a full decade. Not only that, but today marks the day that Noel has been dead longer than she was alive because she was ten years old when she left us. That’s a huge thing to me because it seems like just yesterday. I’ve been here for that long without her… that long,” Coffey said.

Coffey read nine poems she had written over the decade to help with her healing journey. Shortly after, butterflies – a metaphor representing transformation, change and hope – were released, marking a new chapter for Coffey and the girls’ loved ones.

“I’m letting go of that grief today. I’m letting go of all the sadness that I’ve held for ten years. I’m not letting go of my daughter; I never will, but I’m letting go of the pain,” Coffey said.

There are two benches located at the school with the girls’ initials on them. In addition to the benches, a tree was also planted in their memory.