[KHTS] – Friends and family members gathered Friday to remember the life of Jennifer Stift, a 17-year-old Saugus High School senior who was struck by a car while jogging Aug. 18.

More than 200 people gathered to grieve and share their condolences at a mass at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, the funeral service at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary and a memorial followed by a reception at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Friday.

[Read Jennifer’s obituary]

“We don’t stop living our lives because she is gone, but, we rather we try to live them and richer and fuller because she was here,” said Royce Hanamaikai of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. “I hope that you Jenny’s family and friends will ask as well for God to comfort you in these times.”

Friends and family also attended the viewing and rosary at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary Thursday evening.

“We are friends of the Stift family and love them dearly and have appreciate the long friendship for many years and we also love our students at Saugus High School and are thankful for them to come and be with the family, to participate in this memorial for Jennifer Stift,” said Bishop Jack Vandermark of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Stift was killed when a 17-year-old boy driving a 1989 Toyota Celica allegedly lost control of his car and struck her.

Saugus High School and Warrior Fitness Camp officials also held memorials for Stift.

“I’m sure many of you miss Jenny terribly, but she had a special purpose for being here,” Hanamaikai said. “To give light to her family, her friends and community. I heard that she believed the title Best Friends was plural and not singular, and that’s pretty awesome.

“As a best friend, she shared her energy, kindness and love with others. And although we miss her dearly because we can’t see and talk to her, her influence and presence can still be felt.”