A solemn memorial service was held on Sunday at the Fred Rust Ice Arena to honor five members of Delaware’s ice skating community who died in a collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter last Wednesday near Washington, D.C.

The victims — coach Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, his students Angela Yang and Sean Kay, along with Angela’s mother, Zheheng “Lily” Li, and Sean’s mother, Yulia Kay — were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, according to family and friends.

Organized by High Performance Skating Center coaches Michelle Dumler-McKeever and Joel McKeever, the service drew a quiet, respectful crowd that filled one side of the 2,500-seat arena. Mourners from the Delaware skating community gathered to share memories, honor the lives lost and support one another in the face of this tragedy.

Reflections and remembrances

For over an hour, members of Delaware’s skating community walked the long black carpet to the center of the ice to deliver heartfelt tributes to their lost friends and colleagues.

“I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around the fact that I’ll no longer share the ice with him,” said Dumler-McKeever, her voice heavy with grief as she stood surrounded by others who knew and loved Kirsanov.

Sara Papillo, 24, who had trained under Kirsanov since age nine, shared touching memories of her mentor.

“Never in a million years could I or any of us have imagined an accident like this. One that claimed the lives of our loved ones and left our small, close skate community in pieces,” Papillo said with her voice trembling with emotion.

Papillo also reflected on the budding talents of Sean and Angela, describing them as polite, respectful, and full of potential. “Sasha was so proud of them,” she added, recalling how he often spoke of their progress with pride during her training sessions.

Joel McKeever, Kirsanov’s close friend, colleague, and frequent travel companion, spoke fondly of their bond. He recounted Sasha’s sharp sense of humor and their daily interactions both on and off the ice, affectionately referring to him as his “work wife,” a testament to the deep friendship they shared.

The lives behind the loss

Kirsanov, 46, was a high-performance coach at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and a coach for the University of Delaware Collegiate Figure Skating Team. A professional ice dancer, he competed for the United States, Azerbaijan, and Russia, earning numerous accolades, including a bronze medal at the 2003 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany.

Angela Yang, 12, discovered her passion for ice dance after watching her siblings play ice hockey. Known for her dedication and talent, she quickly became a standout in the sport.

Sean Kay, 11, was remembered for his love of Metallica and his playful sense of humor, which he shared with his siblings, who are also figure skaters. His mother, Yulia Kay, worked nights as a nurse to support her children’s skating dreams, often sacrificing sleep to drive them to early morning practices.

According to a GoFundMe campaign organized for Angela’s family, Li was a devoted mother who dedicated her life to raising her three children while managing her own business. She raised them largely on her own in the U.S. while her husband worked overseas, supporting her children’s academic and athletic pursuits with unwavering commitment.

Mourners praised Kay and Yang for their exceptional talent and advanced skating skills for their age.

“I have no doubt they would have achieved many of their dreams,” McKeever said.

Community support and GoFundMe campaigns

In the wake of this tragedy, members of Delaware’s skating community have rallied to offer comfort and support to the victims’ families and each other.

A GoFundMe campaign, organized by family friends, is raising money to support the surviving Kay children in continuing their skating journey in tribute to their mother’s steadfast dedication.

A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up to support survivors in Yang’s family. Proceeds will benefit Yang’s siblings Tiki and Miller Wu and her father, Jianjun “Jacob” Wu who lives overseas.

Dumler-McKeever also organized a GoFundMe campaign in the memory of Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov for his wife and daughter’s expenses.

Other members of the skating club flew to the camp but booked flights arriving in Baltimore rather than Washington, D.C. As the Delaware skating community grapples with the profound loss, the memories shared and the support extended at the memorial service reflect the deep bonds forged on and off the ice.

The University of Delaware Figure Skating Club is offering counseling services to support those affected.

You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.