Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : 200 Gather to Mourn Girl Who Was Killed in 3-Vehicle Collision : Funeral: Family and friends remember Gena Watkinson’s many activities and energetic spirit.

Gena Watkinson, 15 at the time of her death last week, was remembered by her family and friends Wednesday for her love of horses, her singing, poetry, competitive swimming and many other activities.

“She was one of those people whose energy you would have liked to taken and bottled up and sold it, or kept it for yourself, because she had so much,” said Ralph Milliken, associate and youth pastor of Canyon Country Assembly of God Church, who presided over the teen-ager’s graveside service.

The Canyon High School freshman died about two hours after a three-vehicle accident last Wednesday night on Seco Canyon Road that killed three and seriously injured two others. She was buried at Eternal Valley Memorial Park on the same hillside as her friend, JoKema Du Bois, 15, who was driving the car when it veered out of control into two on-coming vehicles.

Jesica Noell, 3, will be buried in a private ceremony today.

Two 14-year-old girls in the car, Alicia Acevedo and Du Bois’ sister, Barbara, remain hospitalized. The occupants of the other vehicles were not seriously injured.

Watkinson’s grandfather and guardian, John, said Gena was scared enough to run from her bedroom into her grandparents’ bed during an aftershock a few weeks ago, but spirited enough to laugh about it. He said he wished he could have provided her similar comfort after the accident, but she died before her family could see her.

“We weren’t able to comfort her in her final moments,” he said, “but I’m sure she knew she was loved.”

More than 200 people attended Watkinson’s funeral, including dozens of youths who attended the service for Du Bois on Tuesday. Many seemed at a loss for words to describe the impact of the tragedy.

“I was in shock,” said Natalie Vannah, 17, a Canyon High student. “I didn’t believe it at first. I still don’t believe it.”

Many of those attending the funeral sang along to two of Watkinson’s favorite gospel songs, “More Love, More Power” and “I Believe in Jesus,” which were performed by church youth group leaders Dennis DeFusco and Carnetta Jones. Watkinson’s family also played taped excerpts from the soundtracks of “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera,” her favorite musicals.

A picture of Watkinson with her horse, Murphy, was on a stand next to the casket, along with a few of the numerous ribbons she won in riding competitions. Debbie Strieter, a rider who had known Watkinson for several years, said the teen-ager’s persistence was extraordinary.

“Last year she had an accident, a bad one, when she fell off her horse,” Strieter said. “She came back right away (after medical treatment) and got right back on. This is when she had stitches in her head.”

An annual award for the “most tenacious rider” will be presented in Watkinson’s name to future riders of the High Desert Horseman’s Assn., of which she was a member, said Mark Storms, one of the organization’s trainers.

Watkinson was also a member of the Canyon High junior varsity swim team, and sang in her church and school choirs, according to family members. She also wrote poetry, and her poem “Never Ending” was read at the service, with Milliken urging those in attendance to take the words to heart.

One line reads: “In the end, something good will happen from this change, even if the change is bad.”