Olivia Rose Engel
July 18, 2006 – December 14, 2012
December 6, 2011
Olivia Rose Engel was happy and had a “great sense of humor.” She loved school, did well in math and reading. Her uncle, John Engel said that she was “insightful for her age.” She was creative and liked to draw and design. She played tennis, soccer, took art classes, enjoyed swimming and took ballet classes. She was a Daisy Girl Scout. Her family said, “She was a great big sister and was always very patient with her 3 year old brother, Brayden.” Her favorite colors were purple and pink. “Olivia was learning the rosary and always led grace before the family dinner. She was a grateful child who was always appreciative and never greedy.” Dan Merton, a longtime family friend “had perfect manners and was a teacher’s pet.” She was, he said, a wiggly, smiley 6-year-old.” [1]
Pallbearers carry the casket of Olivia Engel, 6, into St. Rosa Lima church in Newtown for her funeral December 21, 2012.
Olivia Engel’s favorite American Girl doll sat on top of her little white casket at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church Friday afternoon.
Olivia, the daughter of Shannon and Brian Engel, loved animals, dancing and her 3-year-old brother, Braydon Engel, who she helped potty train by giving him stickers. Olivia was scheduled to play an angel in the church’s Christmas play on that fateful Friday night. Monsignor Robert Weiss said, “Now she’s an angel up in heaven.” Olivia died in the arms of a Newtown police officer who told her he loved her. [2] Officer Chapman, assisted by Newtown Lt Vanghele, carried a mortally wounded first grader from room 10 at 9:56:16 towards the fire station. That young child is believed to be Olivia Engel. [3]
Hopefully, each of the twenty precious children knew that they were loved and cared about, Whether in the arms of a compassionate policeman or shielded by a beloved teacher. Bless you, dearest Olivia and yourfamily.
? Olivia Rose Engel “Sandy Ground Project” by Sharkey-Images.com
[1] The Newtown Shooting Victims: Who They Were, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/The-Newtown-Shooting-Victims-Who-They-Were-183658461.html; retrieved 12/13/2017
[2] Rich Scinto, Newtown Victim Olivia Engel Comforted by Police Officer when she died, New Haven Register, 12/21/2012, http://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Newtown-victim-Olivia-Engel-comforted-by-police-11505396.php#photo-13435391; retrieved 1/1/2018
[3] CW Wade, Sandy Hook Evacuation Photos – Hundreds of Children and Teachers Photographed During Evacuation, 7/21/2014, http://sandyhookanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/07/sandy-hook-evacuation-photos-hundreds.html; retrieved 1/1/2018
Dear Engel Family and friends,
I’ve kept the sweet Thank you note you sent (in response to my note to you) on my desk as a constant reminder of your beautiful child. I see that sweet face every single day and continue to pray for the end of gun violence in our country.
Jane Grant