It’s Friday night at USA Skate Center in Romeoville. As usual, music is playing, and skaters of all ages are relaxing and having a good time. To an outsider looking in, this would seem like a typical Friday night at the skating rink. However, for those who work at the rink, have in the past, or come by on a weekly basis, last Friday night was anything but typical.
“It was sad to see all the people have to come together for such a sad memory and to remember... but at the same time it was also happy. There was a lot of crying that happened but there were also a lot of people that helped the people that were crying and needed some support,” said a former employee of the center.
Members of the USA Skate Center family gathered to remember Jeana, Jen and Jess Andrus, the victims of a murder-suicide in Darien last week. According to media reports, Jeana worked at the skate center for five years, and her daughters skated there every week. Those who worked with them, and were around them at the center, say they touched everybody in a different, but unique, way.
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“If you ever needed somewhere to lay your head or needed someone to talk to, they would be there. They are loving and caring and beautiful. There is nothing bad you can say about them, nothing at all…they were my second family,” the former employee said.
Special songs played at the rink throughout the night, many of which were favorites of the three employees. On Saturday night, the DJ dedicated songs of remembrance to the family and dedicated one to Jen, who he described, as a “regular” at the rink.
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“Jen was an amazing person, not only could she make people smile, but she would always invite people into her heart no matter what. She was always such a caring person. I knew her for just about 6 years, I don’t think I could of asked for a better friend than her,” said friend, Brandon Selk.
Not only was Friday and Saturday night dedicated to the three former employees, but a percentage of all money taken in for the entire weekend will be donated to Cappetta Funeral Home in Lemont, to help pay for funeral expenses.
“I nearly had an emotional breakdown the day I found out what happened. This will be another tough week for everyone,” Selk said.
Employees of the rink and friends alike say they will all make it through this difficult time, because they are a family.
“We are all family at times like these, so we stick together,” Selk said.
