A University graduate student whose family described as a passionate who loved helping others died Wednesday in a car accident near Gulfport, Miss., on her way to a spiritual retreat.
Gabrielle Marcantel, 29, of 6418 Snowden Drive, lost control of her car, crossed the median and swerved into oncoming traffic, according to a Biloxi Sun-Herald report.
The report stated she struck a tractor-trailer in the westbound lane and was ejected from the car.
Marcantel died at the scene of the accident because of trauma to her head and chest, said Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove.
Hargrove said the accident occurred near Long Beach, Miss., on 1-10, one mile east of the 28-mile marker.
Gabrielle's mother, Ricki Marcantel, said her daughter was on her way to a spiritual retreat in Destin, Fla., when the accident occurred.
Marcantel said her daughter, a social work graduate student, was passionate about helping others.
"She was very passionate about learning and her speciality was children," Ricki Marcantel said.
She also said her daughter would have received her master's degree May 18.
Assistant Dean of Student Services for the School of Social Work Denise Chiasson-Breaux said the University is working to give Gabrielle Marcantel a posthumous degree.
Gabrielle Marcantel received her education degree in May 2001 and her master's of education degree in May 2002.
She was also a high school graduate of St. Joseph's Academy and taught at Bellaire Elementary for three years before returning to the University to receive her second master's degree in social work.
"She just liked helping children, and she had a passion for people that needed help," Ricki Marcantel said. "She wanted to help children and teenagers with addictions."
Ricki Marcantel said her daughter had a lust for life.
"Her heart is in charities and underprivileged children," Ricki Marcantel said. "She was a Christian, and she impacted a lot of lives. She had a lust for life."
Visitation will be held May 6 from 4 to 8 p.m at Healing Place Church on Highland Road.
Visitation will also be held Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and a funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Healing Place Church.
----- Contact Elizabeth Miller at emiller@lsureveille.com
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