Candlelight vigil honors beloved Stamford ShopRite worker killed in a hit-and-run

More than 50 people attended the candlelight vigil for Marie Jean Charles.

Frank Recchia and Nicole Alarcon

Dec 8, 2023, 2:07 AM

Updated 384 days ago

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On Thursday, a vigil took place in Stamford in memory of a beloved ShopRite cashier killed on her way to work.
More than 50 people attended the candlelight vigil for Marie Jean Charles.
The vigil was held at the memorial outside the ShopRite parking lot on the West side of Stamford.
"I think us as a community, we can get justice if we put pressure on the community, and put pressure on the police department, and put pressure on the person that's responsible," said vigil organizer Wilner Joseph.
Family and friends of 74-year-old Jean-Charles say her smile would light up everyone’s day.
Police say the beloved grandmother, a cashier for 25 years at ShopRite was killed by a hit-and-run driver as she was walking to work on Nov. 21.
Joseph says her friends and family are growing impatient waiting for police to make an arrest.
"If you have a heart, a conscience, please turn yourself in and do the right thing," said Joseph.
Jean Charles's co-workers say they're still learning to cope with the loss.
"We miss Marie a lot. We were all devastated when this happened," said coworker Aamir Scyal.
Her nephew, Stephane Smarth, says Jean Charles deserves justice.
"The fact that her role as a cashier at ShopRite played such an impact on people's lives, I find pretty amazing," said Smarth.
As police continue piecing together evidence in hopes of making an arrest soon, friends and family are determined to show the world they stand together in their push for justice.
The family says services are planned for 9 a.m. Saturday at Bozak Funeral Home in Stamford.