Updated 12:00 PM 05/08

CEDAR RAPIDS-When Michelle Pinkston called her mother Friday morning, she told her how she wanted to spend her life after she would graduate the next day.

“Just before she left Ames that morning, she called me and she was so excited, because she said ‘I know I want to be an illustrator – I know what I want to do,'” Renee Pinkston, her mother, said.

Later that day, Michelle was driving to visit her family in Cedar Rapids.

She wouldn’t make it home.

A senior in graphic design, Michelle Renee Pinkston died after the car she was driving crashed on Highway 30 near Norway

around 12:20 p.m. on Fri., May 5. She planned on participating in the graduation commencement held May 6.

While driving east from Ames to Cedar Rapids on Highway 30, Michelle’s car crossed the median and entered the two westbound lanes. A pickup truck struck her vehicle, which then collided with a minivan.

The driver of the minivan, Deborah Nielson of Newhall, was transported to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. UIHC officials declined to comment on her status Sunday night.

Michelle always tried to make the most of every day, Renee said.

“I think she packed so much life into those 22 years that I feel she did sometimes more than people do in 80,” she said. “I

can’t even imagine how much we are going to miss her.”

More than 100 people gathered to mourn Michelle’s death during a candlelight vigil held Sunday evening at John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, where she graduated in 2002.

Erin Bird, a minister at New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids, spoke during the vigil.

“Michelle did not get to go to her graduation ceremony and that makes it painful and the timing so off,” he said. “In her 22 years, she gave so much to so many.”

Kellie Close, who attended Luther College in Decorah, said she knew Michelle since the 7th grade.

“It’s kind of like, tough,” she said. “You don’t expect this to happen.”

Sudden deaths such as Michelle’s raise awareness of life’s fragility, Close said.

“We don’t know who will be here tomorrow and we should cherish the opportunity to tell someone we love them, because tomorrow, we might not be able to tell them,” she said in tears.

At Iowa State, Michelle served as president of Helser Hall during her sophomore year and recently received a Cardinal Key Leadership Award, which recognizes the top five percent of graduating seniors from Iowa State, according to her obituary.

ISU Alumnus Jacob Chatterton said he dated Michelle for more than three years. He said she opened her heart to everyone she knew.

“I’ve never met a person who cared for people so much, even if she just met them,” Chatterton said.

Molly Nagel, junior in graphic design, said Michelle had several graphic design job interviews scheduled.

“She was one of the best friends I ever had,” she said. “She was dead set on writing and illustrating.”

Along with her mother, Michelle is survived by her father Larry Pinkston, and her two older brothers, David and Matt Pinkston.

Renee said she has found some solace in knowing Michelle had completed her college education.

“When she talked to me, she said, ‘Mom, it’s all done,'” Renee said. “What a wonderful gift for her and for us – just to get closure. She had completed those four years and is all finished.

“And now, she’s ready to move on, I guess.”

Visitation services for Michelle Pinkston will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at New Covenant Bible Church, 1800 46th St. NE, in Cedar Rapids. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the same location.

Condolences may be sent to the Pinkston family at 3959 Sally Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52402, or posted online at www.cedarmemorial.com under “obituaries.”