Cara Loughran
Her first name translates to “friend” in Irish, but Cara Loughran was so much more: infectiously happy and kindhearted, selfless with an easy smile.
The 14-year-old, who loved her Irish heritage and the color purple, fiercely devoted herself to friends and the beach, surfing and gymnastics. But Irish dancing dominated her life: Watching “Riverdance,” her first theater show, inspired her to study at the Drake School of Irish Dance in Coral Springs. She planned to keep dancing through college. Drake dancers now wear purple bows to honor Loughran’s memory at performances and competitions.
Cara’s parents Denise and Damian Loughran wrote the following for the South Florida Sun Sentinel:
“Cara was an amazing child with a heart of gold. She loved life and her family and friends. She had a way of bringing joy to everyone in her life. Cara had a smile that was extremely contagious. You couldn’t help but smile back at her. She was extremely supportive of her friends and always willing to help anyone who needed her. Cara brought light and joy to all who knew her.
“Cara was a wonderful student and took her studies very seriously, she worked hard and took pride in her academic accomplishments.
“She was a wonderful daughter and an amazing sister. Cara’s brother, Liam, was her best friend and she loved him dearly. She had many great friends who loved her very much. Her friends referred to her as the glue that bound them all together many times.
“She was a beach lover and completely happy whenever she was near the ocean. She loved surfing and Irish dance. Her favorite color was purple and she loved butterflies.
“Cara was so much fun to be around. She would giggle and laugh at anything remotely funny, which amused everyone around her. Her kind and gentle nature was inspiring to all who loved her.
“We were so proud of the wonderful young lady Cara was. Referring to her in the past tense is still too painful to bare.
“Losing Cara left a gaping hole in the lives of all who loved her. Cara will be forever loved and missed.”