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7-Year-Old Granddaughter Of Danbury Philanthropist Found Slain; Dad Charged

DANBURY, Conn. — A 7-year-old girl who was slain in her Westchester home earlier this week was the granddaughter of Danbury philanthropist Noel Hord, according to the News-Times.

Gabrielle White with her mother, Michelle Hord-White.

Gabrielle White with her mother, Michelle Hord-White.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe.com

Gabrielle White, a second-grader, was found dead Tuesday in her bed in her home in New Rochelle, N.Y., and her father, Neil White, has been charged with murder in her death, police said.

A GoFundMe page was started in memory of Gabrielle, with all proceeds and donations going to the Hord Foundation, which “helps others realize their dreams.”

“The family wants to celebrate the dreams of young people who will have an opportunity that Gabrielle will not have to pursue higher education and make a difference in the world,” the GoFundMe page said.

“Our beautiful, smart, vivacious and sunshiny Gabrielle gained her angel wings. Her sudden transition to Heaven leaves her family, friends, school and community with an immeasurable amount of grief and an overwhelming sense of sadness and pain.”

Noel Hord’s daughter, NBCUniversal executive Michelle Hord-White, is Gabrielle’s mother, according to the News-Times. Hord-White is a graduate of Danbury High School. 

The Hord Foundation was established in January 1993 by Noel and Cora E. Hord. Its mission is to encourage and reward excellence among scholars of African descent in the greater Danbury area. It has awarded over $4 million in college scholarships to date. 

In a statement, Hord-White and her family said words could not sum “all that Gabrielle meant to us,” the News-Times said. “We are broken and devastated that our sweet little girl is gone, but we're thankful that we had seven wonderful years with her.” 

Click here to donate to the Gabrielle White Memorial Fund. Click here to donate to the Hord Foundation.

Click here for the News-Times story.

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