Woman who died on Mt. Bachelor remembered as kind, caring

Family, friends and many in the Portland and University of Oregon communities are mourning the loss of a 19-year old Portland woman who died Friday in a tragic ski accident on Mt. Bachelor.

On Friday night, authorities found the body of Nicole Panet-Raymond in a tree well, an area of loose snow around a tree trunk. Panet-Raymond’s death was the second that day on Mt. Bachelor. Earlier that same day, snowboarder Alfonso Braun, 24, of Bend, died, also by falling into a dangerous tree well.

KGW reported Panet-Raymond was attending the University of Oregon after graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland in 2016.

On Monday morning, a grieving congregation held a closed-door prayer service in her honor.

“The St. Mary’s community is devastated over the loss of Nicole,” said spokesperson Gina Rau. “Our prayers go out to her family, and all who knew and loved her.”

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of St. Mary’s alumna, Nicole Panet-Raymond ’16, who was involved in a tragic skiing accident recently,” said St. Mary’s Academy Principal Nicole Foran. “This remarkable young woman touched the hearts of many throughout her life, and especially during her years at St. Mary’s Academy. Nicole was actively involved as a leader in our student body, played on the Blues Tennis team, and shared her beautiful vocal talents as a Marian singer. She will be greatly missed.”

For those that love her, and those who knew her just in passing, Panet-Raymond was a shining spirit. A kind soul, who also loved animals.

Meow Village, a feral cat rescue posted a tribute to Panet-Raymond on Facebook, showing a photo of her, smiling, holding two kittens.

“It clearly captures her joy, beauty and true love for life,” said the Facebook post. “No words can describe the loss of this lovely, young soul and our thoughts and prayers are all around her family, as they courageously move forward to honor her memory.”

KPTV spoke with Molly Jansky, a life-long friend who considered Panet-Raymond a sister. She and other friends described her as genuine, fun and big-hearted.

“She has touched so many people so deeply,” she said.

Proof of that was the many people who showed up to her vigil at Rieke Elementary Saturday night.

“And it’s not that she touched people at surface level, she had so many deep friendships that were so meaningful and everyone has different relationships with her and it really shows the genuine, authentic person that she was,” Jansky said.

Panet-Raymond’s parents told FOX 12 she’s always been an engaging, inviting and big-hearted person. She loved to read, play music and was in the honors college at the U of O.

“If it were a bad day she would always somehow turn it around, so turning this time somehow into something beautiful, positive thing, is what I think will help the entire community,” Jansky said.