People in Fairfield tell News 12 they are shocked by the death of Meghan Raveis.

Raveis, 45, was killed Friday when she was hit by a car while walking on Redding Road. Police say the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers.

The sudden death of the community member has left many Fairfield residents devastated.

"Absolute shock, and so dismayed," says Julie Mombello. "It's such an awful, awful tragedy. It's overwhelmingly sad and horrific and impossible, really, to understand."

Mombello says through her job at the Adam J. Lewis Academy, she got to know Raveis. When Mombello and her husband, who also has close ties to the Raveis family, received a call Friday telling them what happened, they were horrified.

"It's so senseless, it happens in an instant," Mombello says. "It shows the fragility of life, and how things just come and go in an instant. I mean it's heartbreaking."

"I think her love of her family, her children and her husband are going to be what stands forever,’’ she said.

Raveis belonged to the family who owns William Raveis Real Estate and was managing director of the William Raveis Charitable Fund. She had three children.

Harborview Market owner Rick Torres says many customers at his Black Rock business have been discussing the loss of the beloved community member.

"I don't know why Meghan's life was taken so soon. It is very tragic and sad,” he said. “The family is remarkable. They're good people."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says Raveis was a force for good in the community.

"This tragic death should be a call to action for more federal funding for protecting pedestrians and cyclists,” he said.