Father: 'Thanks to the Lord because he let me borrow this girl for 17 years'

SPRINGFIELD, Ore.-- "She was my princess, my angel," said Carmelo Varo, clutching a framed photo of his daughter, Sherry Varo.

The 17-year-old Thurston High School student who was struck by two cars and killed Tuesday night, as she crossed Main Street on her way home from work.

Sherry Varo was killed three days after her 17th birthday, which she celebrated at home with friends.

Her father, Carmelo, fondly remembers another birthday: Sherry's fifteenth.

The family marked the occassion with a quinceanera -- a religious ceremony and dance.  It was a day Sherry dreamed about since she was 10 years old.

"She said, are you going to have a quinceanera party for me?  I said, of course," said Carmelo Varo.  "I've got the money and I will do it for you.  But you've got to work so hard in school, in home, that way you can get your party.  And she started working so hard."

Telling stories of Sherry making dinner for the family and earning good grades, his pride shines through his grief.

His daughter was smart, generous and approached life with determination, said Carmelo.

"Thanks to the Lord.  Thanks to the Lord because he let me borrow this girl for 17 years," he said.  "He decided to take her with him.  Glory to His name."

The family plans to bury Sherry in Mexico.

A Sherry Varo account has been set up at Selco Community Credit Union to help the family pay for funeral expenses.