Twenty-six flower bouquets and a candle lay next to a plaque Monday, dedicating an oak tree in memory of Christine Moore.
About 75 people gathered around the tree to listen to family, friends, colleagues and teachers talk about the “angel in our hearts.”
Through tears and smiles, the group heard of the oldest daughter of Anthony and Louise Moore and how her life compared to the tall oak her colleagues and friends dedicated to her.
Christine, 23, a graduate student in social work, disappeared while jogging on River Road May 24, 2002. A fisherman found her remains in June, in an overgrown lot next to River Road Church. Christine was to graduate this May with a master’s degree in social work.
The social work student organization raised $1,500 to endow the live oak.
      Jenny Breaux, head of the social work student organization, said the class wanted to do something for Christine.
“This is a perfect way to let Christine’s memory live on,” Breaux said.
The organization also is raising funds for a memorial scholarship. It held a garage sale last weekend to raise funds for the scholarship. Breaux said the organization needs $10,000 to fund the scholarship. It raised $1,500 from the garage sale, and it hopes to raise the rest before the class graduates in May.
At the dedication, Amy Fontena, in charge of raising funds for the Christine Moore memorial fund, lit a candle for Christine. The last time the candle was lit was during the days Christine was missing.
“We lit it every day in the School of Social Work as a sign of hope and faith,” said Catherine Lemieux, interim dean of the School of Social Work.
Allain, Christine’s classmate who asked not to have her last name printed, said the oak tree symbolized Christine’s life.
“An oak tree symbolizes power, protection, endurance, liberation, success and stability,” Allain said. “This is a symbol of Christine’s life.”
Christine’s family also attended the dedication.
Anthony Moore said when police told him about Christine’s death, his family decided to celebrate life.
“As hard as it may be, you must celebrate life,” he said. “Life is sacred.”
He said though his daughter’s murder is not linked to the serial killer, he believes in his heart she was his victim.
“I hope and pray they catch him alive because that is the only way that I will know,” he said.