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Scholarship established in honour of Surrey athlete killed in crash

Memorial services being held for both Chantal MacLean and Cody Kehler this week.
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Surrey student Chantal MacLean

A high school scholarship has been set up in the name of a Surrey student killed in a car crash in Delta on Thanksgiving Day.

Chantal MacLean and her boyfriend Cody Kehler – both 17-year-old Clayton Heights Secondary students – died in a multi-vehicle accident on Highway 10 near Scott Road on the afternoon of Oct. 13. They were on their way to a family dinner.

MacLean's family has established a scholarship to honour Chantal, a talented athlete who not only played on her winning school rugby teams, but also represented B.C.

Her sister Shakeira said the fund is intended to help carry on Chantal's legacy as a passionate, dedicated and inspiring athlete.

"It will be awarded to a female student that exemplifies the leadership qualities that Chantal had as well as her compassion for her teammates and tenacity towards her sports," said Shakeira.

Contributions to the Chantal MacLean Scholarship Fund can be made at any Coast Capital Savings branch, transit #301600, membership #40106956. Wire transfers may be sent to Coast Capital Savings, branch 146, account #08093016010110004050530, swift code: CUCXCATTVAN.

The Delta-based Britannia Lions Rugby Club, for which Kehler played (he, too, was a star athlete), has also set up a fund to help the Kehler and MacLean families with the many unexpected costs they are facing. Donations can be made at http://bit.ly/1raUMMP

Separate memorial services are being held for both teens this week.

The MacLean family will be hosting Chantal's Celebration of Life Wednesday (Oct. 22) at Christian Life Assembly, 21277 56 Ave. in Langley. Anyone is welcome. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the service begins at 3 p.m.

"Though there will be tears, there will be many hugs, stories, and smiles about our beloved girl," say the event organizers on Facebook. "We will be saying farewell with love and happiness."

Cody's Celebration of Life is scheduled at the same church on Friday (Oct. 24) at 3 p.m. (doors open at 2 p.m.)

"Cody is gone but NEVER will be forgotten as his spirit has always been larger than life," say the organizers, encouraging people to attend and share stories. "We know there will be tears but we also know there will be smiles and laughter as we talk about Cody."