Memorial for Maria Noakes

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Dominique Williams, 15, son of Maria Noakes, speaks during a memorial service at the Nantahala Outdoor Center March 10, 2018.

Emily Shanblatt, left, and Mackenzie Hatcher, paddling friends of Maria Noakes, embrace during a memorial fo the kayaker at the Nantahala Outdoor Center March 10, 2018.

From left, Flo Monier, Noakes' niece, Margaret Williams, Noakes' sister-in-law, and Fleche Crawford, Noakes' nephew, stand on a bridge as they prepare to throw flowers into the Nantahala River in memory of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Flo Monier, Maria Noakes' niece, tosses a flower into the Nantahala River March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Nick Williams, Maria Noakes' husband, speaks at her memorial at the Nantahala Outdoor Center March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

John Noakes, Maria's father, speaks during her memorial at Nantahala Outdoor Center March 10, 2018.

Sonia Gailitis speaks during a memorial for Maria Noakes at the Nantahala Outdoor Center March 10, 2018.

Chris Hipgrave speaks during a memorial for kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Tom Kimmel speaks during a memorial for Maria Noakes at the Nantahala Outdoor Center March 10, 2018.

Laura Farrell holds a bucket of flowers to throw into the river in honor of Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to honor the life of kayaker Maria Noakes March 10, 2018.