A Memorial Day traffic accident that took the life of Maggie Marmion, a Brookfield High student-athlete, caused another Brookfield woman to relive almost 25 years of painful memories.

“It really had an effect on me,” said Tina Wilson, who survived a crash on Nov. 19, 1983, that killed her 17-year-old friend and teammate, Brenda Haun.

The girls and another teammate of the Brookfield girls’ basketball team, Kathy Puto, were on their way to catch a bus to a scrimmage when their vehicle collided with a Punxsutawney man’s car at state Route 82 and Bedford Road.

“I think about it everyday,” Ms. Wilson said. She often asks herself why she was picked to live when her friend had to die, she said.

Maggie’s death more than two decades later, however, helped her answer that question.

Maggie was killed at about 1:10 a.m. May 27 after being tossed from her seat in an accident in the 3900 block of Longview Road, Shenango Township.

Ms. Wilson is heading a committee that plans to honor Maggie, Brenda and all other Brookfield students who died before graduating.

The group hopes to set up a “Fallen Warriors” memorial at the high school that in addition to being a tribute will double as a tool to teach students to be more careful when making decisions.

Learning from what has happened to others may help save lives down the road, school director and committee member Tim Filipovich said.

“All of our experiences sort of mold who we are,” said Filipovich, who coached the Brookfield girls’ basketball team at the time of the 1983 crash.

The committee is aware of seven students over the years who have been killed and ask anyone who may know of others to inform them.

They will also be seeking donations from Brookfield area businesses and anyone else willing to pitch in.

For more information, call 330-448-4930.