Family and first responders gather to honor Natalie Gillis

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Thursday, NEWS10 returned to the scene of the crash where 34-year-old Natalie Gillis tragically lost her life. While we were there, Natalie’s brother, Matt, and his wife arrived with some of the first responders who had initially responded to the accident. Matt had asked them to join him so he could thank them personally.

Bob Winn, Deputy Colonie Police Chief, shared, "They were worried about us. They brought us flowers, which we in turn left for Natalie."

The flowers were placed at the crash site, where Natalie’s family and first responders gathered to reflect on a life cut short. Though Matt was not ready to speak, he directed us to two of Natalie’s close friends to help illustrate who she was.

Meghan Ward, a friend of Natalie’s, remembered her fondly: "She just did everything to the extreme degree. I think how people will remember her is just for her inspiration to try. Why not do it? Why not go a little harder? Do it, even if it's scary. She truly lived a lot of clichés in a really authentic way. You know, to just squeeze as much out of life as you can while you're living it.”

Another friend, Michelle Bastien, added, “I think she'll be remembered for her artistry and her passion for adventure. She was so good at documenting her adventures. Her life was nothing but an adventure. It seems like she had so much richness in her everyday life and she would document that. I think everyone will remember being along for that journey with her.”

For those who responded to the scene on Monday, learning more about Natalie has been bittersweet.

Bob Winn noted, “It's a blessing and a curse. They’re happy to have known what a great person she was, but now they’re even more sad, knowing what the world lost.”

For the fire crews, returning to the scene has been especially difficult.

Michael Romano, the Colonie Fire Coordinator, expressed his sorrow: “It breaks your heart. It does break your heart to read everything about her and realize that her life has ended in such a tragedy.”

The group stood at the site of the accident, acknowledging that Natalie will be remembered as much more than just the pilot of that plane.

Bob Winn stated, “There will be no one here that is currently working or the next generation after us that won’t be talking about this or remember this. So I did tell the family that. And, you know, they have an extended family here with our first responders because she will always be in our thoughts and our prayers.”

A vigil will be held at 8 PM on Thursday at the site of the crash to honor Natalie’s memory.