Amaria Diljohn remembered by mourners at visitation - Action News
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Toronto

Amaria Diljohn remembered by mourners at visitation

Mourners gathered at a Scarborough funeral home Friday evening to remember Amaria Diljohn, a 14-year-old who was killed by a TTC bus last month.

Funeral scheduled for 1 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon

Amaria Diljohn, 14, was struck and killed by a TTC bus in December. (Facebook)

Mourners gathered at a Scarborough funeral home Friday evening to remember Amaria Diljohn, a 14-year-old who was killed by a TTCbus last month.

Diljohn, who was known to family and friends as "Momo," was struck as she crossed Finch Avenue East, just moments after exiting the bus that eventually hit her.

She loved basketball and sang in the school choir at WoburnCollegiate Institute, where she started grade nine just months before her death.

"Whenever somebody was down, she was there to help you. She was just a wonderful girl," said Kenya Watkis, 9, who became friends with Diljohnin elementary school.

She said the news of her friend's death was devastating.

"At first I was sad. Later on in the day I started to cry and get emotional."

Laura Desmond, a family friend, told CBC News that Diljohn's family is "suffering," and that they are struggling to come to terms with the loss of the teen.

Friday's visitation was even attended by some who didn't know Diljohn personally, but were moved by her tragic story.

Mourners gathered at this Scarborough funeral home to remember Diljohn. (CBC)
"It really touched my heart to see a young teenager who hasn't even lived her life yet, you know, gone," said Sharon Malcolm, who drove from Ajax to remember Diljohn with the others gathered at Highland Funeral Home.

TTC CEO Andy Byford said in the days following the incident that the whole of his organization was "completely devastated." The TTC offered to pay up to $20,000 in funeral expenses, but the Diljohn family declined the money.

The 27-year-old TTC driver who struck Diljohn has not been charged.

A funeral for the teen will be held in Scarborough on Saturday afternoon.