After her tragic death last week, Dawn Brancheau was laid to rest on Monday (March 1) in Alsip, Illinois.

Friends and family gathered for the funeral mass at a church called St. Rita’s and of the tragedy, a friend of Brancheau told press, “She’s going to be missed by hundreds of people. It’s a horrible thing.”

As previously reported, Dawn- who had worked with killer whales for 16 years- was pulled underwater by a 12,000 lb. male orca whale named Tilikum and drowned.

Illinois state Rep. Michael Zalewski weighed in on the sad situation, saying, “It’s pretty evident from everybody you talk to that she died doing exactly what she loved doing. I think it’s important that everyone comes out and remembers that. She was very happy in her profession.”