BARRE, Vt. – Dozens of people poured into City Park to remember and pay their respects to Courtney Gaboriault, a Barre woman who was shot and killed on July 4 by her ex-boyfriend, who then turned the gun on himself.

There were smiles and tears at the candlelight vigil, which was organized by a group calling themselves ‘Allies of Courtney.’ They emphasized the vigil was a positive event, created to remember their friend taken too soon.

Courtney’s friends remembered her as a woman full of life and energy who loved fashion and traveling. But they say that only scratches the surface of the qualities that made Courtney who she was.

“I want her to be remembered for her kindness, her sensitivity, her friendliness, and the light that she brought to everyone’s life,” said vigil organizer Kate Root. “I do not want her to be remembered as a victim, because that’s not all that she was.”

Gaboriault worked at the Department of Public Safety, where fellow employees have described her as happy, positive and dedicated to her work. She had a rescue dog named Roscoe, and her love of animals lived on Wednesday as people donated dog food and toys to the Central Vermont Humane Society.

“The past few months were the happiest I had ever seen since I’ve known her,” said Alexandra Johns, Courtney’s roommate. “She was planning trips and doing things that she always wanted to do. She was truly living her best life, and I miss and love her so much.”

Funeral services for Courtney will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Greensboro Bend.