AUBERRY, Calif. (KFSN) — The Auberry community is mourning the loss of four members of the Eady family after a plane crash in Fresno left two surviving children grieving the deaths of their parents and younger brothers.<\/p>\n
Classes at Studio on the Hill were canceled for a second consecutive day as students, instructors and families processed the loss of Danna and Craig Eady and their two youngest sons, who died in a fiery plane crash Saturday on a bluff above the San Joaquin River in Fresno.<\/p>\n
The crash left the couple’s two older children, Lucien and Felicity Eady, without their parents and brothers.<\/p>\n
“Lucien is a long-time member of the Studio on the Hill family. He came to us as a student, and it’s been just great to watch him grow. He’s now an extraordinary coach. He teaches acrobatics and also teaches hip-hop,” said studio founder Bari Hill.<\/p>\n
As the community reflects on the family’s loss, Hill said she often thought about the way Danna and Craig Eady raised their children.<\/p>\n
“Through all of this, I keep thinking back to how, over the years, I watched Danna and Craig with their children and wondered, ‘what are they doing to raise such extraordinary humans?’ Every one of their children is brave, full of heart, adventurous, and I think that just speaks to who Dana and Craig were,” Hill said.<\/p>\n
Felicity Eady, who was serving a mission in Guam for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, returned in time to say goodbye to her father who died Monday afternoon. She later shared a tribute to her family on social media.<\/p>\n
“I know that they are happy together in a better place! I will forever miss my best friends. We went on so many adventures together and truly lived life to the fullest during our time together.” she wrote.<\/p>\n
Hill said the tragedy has deeply affected Auberry, a small mountain community whose residents have long depended on one another during difficult times.<\/p>\n
“We call ourselves mountain strong because of the Creek Fire,” Hill said. “I feel like everyone pulled together at that time and we are all pulling together again to support the Eady family.”<\/p>\n
The studio has temporarily suspended classes as staff members take time to grieve.<\/p>\n
“To be honest, we’re all struggling, and we’ve decided that the best thing for us to do is to allow ourselves time and space to really wrap our heads around what has happened and allow ourselves to grieve,” Hill said.<\/p>\n
Studio on the Hill plans to reopen Thursday unless the staff feels they need more time to grieve. In the meantime, Hill said other instructors will cover Lucien Eady’s classes for as long as needed.<\/p>\n
“I hope that both Lucien and Felicity keep the zest for life that their parents had. I mean they lived life to the fullest, and I just pray that they don’t lose that. I don’t think they will. They’re made of great stuff,” she said.<\/p>\n
Friends and family have set up a support campaign to help with funeral and other expenses for the Eady family.<\/p>\n