Remembering Laci: Family, friends share traits that made her special

Two kinds of people gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate the life of Laci Rocha Peterson.

Those who knew her.

And those who wished they had.

The latter sat forward in their seats, listening intently to every word and feeling new emotions. The tears came often and they wiped them away.

It hurt to imagine her.

For Laci's friends and family, the experience was entirely different.

At times, as the 120-voice choir reached a crescendo, those who knew Laci could be seen softly disappearing into mental movies of the past. They sat motionless, tears sliding unhindered down their cheeks, before they snapped back into the moment.

It hurt to remember her.

"It was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do for a friend," said Stacey Boyers. "But Laci deserved to have these things said for her and to have her life told with wonderful memories."

An estimated 3,000 people filled First Baptist Church in Modesto for the memorial service, which was held on what would have been Laci's 28th birthday.

People walking in immediately became part of a breathtaking scene.

The white-gowned choir -- the union of Big Valley Grace Community and First Baptist church singers -- filled a large stage. Two video screens displayed large photographs of Laci.

Dozens of flower arrangements blanketed the altar in reds, pinks and whites. One white heart-shaped bouquet of flowers held a red line of petals down the middle, symbolizing a broken heart. Nearby, a white column held the figurine of a child next to white roses, a tribute to Conner -- the child who lived and died with her.

In the center of it all, surrounded by hundreds of flowers and lush, green plants, stood a single portrait of Laci.

She was home again in her garden.

Brother: 'Today is a good day'

Five minutes before the service began, the Rocha family entered the hall and took seats in the front. Their expressions were solemn, their eyes tired and red. Laci's father, Dennis Rocha, wiped away tears as he walked in carrying a bouquet.

Brent Rocha, Laci's brother, was the only family member to speak.

"Today is a good day," he said. "Today is Laci's birthday. All of us are given an opportunity to remember Laci and Conner. Laci would be very grateful and just astounded that she would get this kind of attention. I think with all of us here, we're sending a very powerful message."

Rocha told about how three years ago, at their grandmother's funeral, Laci told him she didn't want people to be sad at her funeral.

"When I die, I don't want people to be missing me," he recalled her saying. "I want people to be happy."

The memorial service had moments of laughter, but ulti- mately, it was an immensely sad occasion. Last month, the bodies of Laci and Conner were recovered at the eastern edge of San Francisco Bay. Laci had been reported missing on Christmas Eve.

Scott Peterson has been charged with murder in the deaths of his wife and unborn son and is awaiting trial. Nobody mentioned his name at the service Sunday. His image had been removed from photographs of Laci, including several from her wedding day, shown during a video montage.

The audience remained subdued during the early moments of the service. Eventually, people began to applaud when songs and speakers concluded. Many people clutched tissues and dabbed their eyes.

Laci's 13-year-old cousin T.J. Vasquez spoke with emotion that brought many people to tears.

"Even though Laci is not with us here today, she will always be in my heart and in my memories," T.J. said as he choked back tears. "Happy birthday, Laci."