Moment of silence, vigil remember Eliza Talal
Township officials paused Wednesday night to remember a young resident who lost her life last week, as friends and family plan a vigil in her memory for tonight.
“The true tragedy of the storm was the tragic loss of one of our most innocent residents, 5-yearold Eliza Talal. The board asks that we have a brief moment of silence for Eliza and her family,” said supervisors Chairman Chuck Wilson.
Talal was last seen around noon Aug. 4 and was reported missing shortly after, as Tropical Storm Isaias poured roughly 8 inches of rain across the area. Her body was recovered the next morning at Fischer’s Park, about a mile and a half from her family’s home on Spring Valley Road.
Wilson led the township’s supervisors and staff in a silent
commemoration for Talal at the start of their board meeting Wednesday night, before noting that neighbors have established a GoFundMe page to support Talal’s family and are planning a candlelight vigil to honor Eliza’s memory at 7 p.m. today at Fischer’s Park, 2235 Bustard Road.
Lansdale resident Kylene Spade, who’s coordinating the event, said members of the Towamencin Township Police Department will help coordinate and direct parking. She also recommended that people carpool or walk if they live within a safe walking distance to the park.
Additionally, Skippack Pharmacy owner Mayank Amin will be distributing masks.
While Spade said she
didn’t know Eliza’s family, she hopes that people will come together this evening with candles in hand, which will be available for those interested.
While tonight’s itinerary is not set in stone, Spade said Eliza’s godparent will speak, and organizers plan to play a few of Eliza’s favorite songs such as “Change the World” from Sesame Street and Idina Menzel’s rendition of “Into the Unknown” from “Frozen II.”
“It highlights that she was a joyful little girl,” Spade said.