Community Activist Dies Of Flu At 22

NEWBURGH, NY — A 22-year-old Newburgh woman, who was a community activist and worked on several local political campaigns, died Sunday after being diagnosed with the flu just days before. Orange County Legislator Kevindaryan Lujan of Newburgh described Rebekah Grohl on Facebook as "a fierce warrior for justice."

She was the campaign manager for Lujan and volunteered for the campaigns of Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-Rhinebeck, and state Sen. James Skoufis, D-Woodbury, MidHudson News reported.

New York State Young Democrats said on Facebook that Grohl was "known for being a young woman of strength, courage, determination and character. She was a beautiful spirit, a leader and a complete and total badass!"

Skoufis said she "personified the City of Newburgh's vibrancy, hope and future. She worked on our Senate campaign last year and was an unquestionable force to be reckoned with."

A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up in her honor "to help memorialize her; her compassion, her loyalty and her dedication. We would also like to help her family with funding any costs associated to her celebration of life."

As of Tuesday morning, the fundraising site has brought in more than $15,000 of its $25,000 goal.

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