Germanwings Crash: American Mother, Daughter Who Died Remembered for Dedication to Christian Faith, Family

Leah Marieann Klett : Mar 30, 2015
Gospel Herald

"We are lifting up countless prayers on behalf of the Selke family."

A Christian mother and daughter from Virginia who were among the 150 killed on a Germanwings flight have been remembered by grieving friends and family as "wonderful people" who were active members of their local church. (Xela Batchelder /AP)

Yvonne Selke and her daughter, Emily, were two of the three Americans who died on March 24 when an Airbus jet plunged into a frozen ridge in the French Alps en route from Spain to Germany.

"Our entire family is deeply saddened by the losses of Yvonne and Emily Selke, two wonderful, caring, amazing people who meant so much to so many," read a statement released from the family. "At this difficult time we respectfully ask for privacy and your prayers."

According to Father Michael J. Bazan, pastor of Sacred Heart, where Yvonne and Emily were members, both women were deeply committed to their church and their Christian faith.

"We are lifting up countless prayers on behalf of the Selke family," he recently told the AFP.

A parishioner of Sacred Heart since 1993, Yvonne was a volunteer in the faith formation program as well as in the parish library. According to Kathleen Burr, director of faith formation at Sacred Heart, children from the parish memorized prayers, and Yvonne would listen as they recited them.

"She was a kind and gentle woman," Burr said. "They both were wonderful people. They were always here, always wanted to help."

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