BLACKSBURG, VA – Updated Story:
Take a look around Your Pie Pizza in Blacksburg, and you’ll spot heartfelt tributes to one of their most beloved employees.
“We’ll never forget her, and want to make sure others remember her too,” Owner Dawn Holesa said.
It’s been exactly a year since 17-year-old Serenity Hawley was killed in an apparent murder-suicide - and those closest to her are still in the thick of grief.
“She just was so special. She just was a true part of us,” Holesa said.
Dawn Holesa is the owner of Your Pie. She tells 10 News Serenity was one of her first regular customers, and bringing her on staff was a no-brainer.
“People loved her. She was responsible, dependable, and even as a high school student she was mature beyond her years. And she wanted to work often,” Holesa said.
The news of her death shook the Blacksburg community and Holesa’s small business.
“She touched so many lives,” 10 News Anchor Abbie Coleman said.
“She certainly did,” Holesa said.
Holesa doesn’t want Serenity’s legacy, or what happened to her, to be forgotten.
That’s why on the one year anniversary, 20% of all sales are going to the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley.
We sat down with Jane Lillian Vance, the Vice President of Help Save the Next Girl.
She says providing resources to domestic violence safe havens like this is critical.
“The people who run that place, the people who give food, give beds, give mattresses, give encouragement and safety, those are some of the saints of this community. And of every community that protects people who are victims of any kind of violence,” Vance said.
Vance wants people to watch out for the signs of domestic violence, before another life is lost.
“This can happen to anyone at any age,” Coleman said.
“You’re right, Abbie. She was a high schooler. Looking forward to graduating and to parties, and falling in love maybe again and again, at least with this world if not to other people. She was so beautiful, she was bright,” Vance said.
We spoke with Serenity’s parents who say:
“As we mark the anniversary of Serenity’s passing, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support and love we’ve received from our friends, family, and the community. Your kindness and compassion during this difficult time have meant the world to us.
There are so many people to thank, and we are truly humbled by the generosity and care we’ve experienced, but we are hesitant to list names for fear of leaving someone out. The memorial today is filled with beautiful flowers, and though Serenity would have been embarrassed by all the attention, we know she would have been touched to see how much she was loved.
Serenity was passionate about her work and her coworkers, and we’re grateful that Your Pie has made this day even more special in her honor. We encourage everyone to visit Your Pie more often and remember Serenity when you do.
The support from this community has been extraordinary. Whether through kind words, prayers, or thoughtful gestures, it’s clear that there are so many wonderful people around us. It serves as a reminder that every individual matters, and we are fortunate to be surrounded by such kindness.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything.”
John and Katherine Hawley and Heather Waldron, Serenity's Parents
For Holesa, making even a small difference in Serenity’s honor, means more than she can put into words.
“People do remember her and are going to remember her. So if it helps them a little, that’s fantastic,” she said.
If you would like to donate to the Women’s Resource Center of the NRV you can do so here.
Original Story:
Thursday marks one year since the death of Serenity Hawley, one of two teenagers found dead in a Blacksburg parking garage on November 7, 2023. Her family has said the incident was a murder-suicide.
To honor her memory, Your Pie Pizza in Blacksburg is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of the New River Valley.
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., 20% of all sales at Your Pie will go to the WRC.
Additional donations collected throughout the day will also support the center’s work providing vital services to victims of domestic violence and others in need.
Serenity, who worked at Your Pie, is remembered by those who knew her for her bright personality and strong work ethic. The fundraiser aims to raise awareness of the important services the WRC provides to the local community.
Event Details:
Date: November 7, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Your Pie Pizza, 608 University City Blvd, Blacksburg, VA
