Family friend remembers Emilie Parker

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - New Mexicans are pulling together to remember one of the children killed in the Connecticut massacre.

Emilie Parker, 6, went to Elementary School in Rio Rancho before her family moved to Newtown, Conn.

Now we are learning all about the bubbly beauty from those who knew her best.

• Photos: Sandy Hook Shooting Victims

"She greeted her teachers Mrs. Dale and Mrs. Leeper each morning by saying 'salutations teacher!'  She loved the book Charlottes Web, and that heart felt greeting was the epitome of who Emilie Parker was," said Cathy Gaarden Emilie's Principal at Maggie Cordova Elementary. Emilie attended kindergarten at the school from 2011-2012.

In the beloved children's book salutations is the main character's fancy way of saying hello, and friends and family says Emilie used it often.

"Salutations! She was just so friendly and thought about everyone," said one of the family's closest friends Brooke Breadthauer. The Breadthauers have three boys the same ages at the Parker's girls. They also went to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint in South East Rio Rancho.

Breadthauer also got a Christmas card from the Parkers they day little Emilie was killed. The same day she talked to Emilie's mother.

"I had no idea it was her school. I just said are you close? She said it's Emilie's school, but we can't find her," Breadthauer said.

And from there things just got worse.

"When the news started to filter in that it was possibly Emilie, the kindergarten teachers, all of them, you could just see a change in their mood," said Assistant Principal Skip Mackay. He said the school found out about the tragedy just as school was getting out Friday.

The principal at Maggie Cordova Elementary School says Emilie was effervescent and sparkly. She was also creative a talent she got from her mother.

"I'm sure she made something for Emilie for Christmas, and she bought her a sewing machine right before she left here," said Breadthauer.

Her father worked at Presybyterian hospital.

"He worked in the NICU and had very tender stories to tell about children," explained Breadthauer. "He was very tender toward them."

President Obama offered the family his condolences Sunday.

"Salutations Emilie! We will always love you! You will always be our precious angel!" said Principal Gaarden.

Emilie's parents are from Ogden, UT. They were high school sweethearts. Sources say the family lived in Rio Rancho for about two years and moved to Connecticut in January.

There is a memorial fund set up for the family.

A vigil will be held for Emilie, Monday, 6 p.m. at Cabezon Park in Rio Rancho.