Hundreds of people packed Sierra Community Church on Friday to pay tribute to Emily Clothier, a 14-year-old South Lake Tahoe girl who died March 20 as a result of a ski accident at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Clothier, a competitive ski racer, was training with the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation when she struck a tree, authorities said. The South Tahoe High School freshman, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, died of head injuries, an El Dorado County sheriff's spokesman said.

On Friday evening, police monitored traffic on Sierra Boulevard as crowds arrived at the church. It was divided into sections for family, Clothier's teammates from the ski and cross-country teams, members of the Heavenly Foundation and ski patrol, and employees of Barton Memorial Hospital, where Clothier's mother, Patti, works.

"When one falls, we all feel the loss," Pastor Dan Wilvers said in his opening remarks.

Wilvers, who also had been Clothier's coach on the cross-country team, hinted at the teen's spunkiness, commenting on "how delighted Emily would be that this many people gathered for her." The remark drew laughter from the crowd.

Many of Clothier's friends have been carrying her photo with them as a remembrance since her death, and photos of the teen attached to a purple lanyard were handed out in the church lobby.

While waiting for the service to start, Vinnie Cifelli, Jenna Thomas and Summer Anderson reminisced about attending dances and sleepovers with their free-spirited friend, who seemed to usually be laughing or smiling.

Cifelli said Clothier wasn't one to let her friends wallow in their problems.

"She could always put a smile on your face," Cifelli said. "She made me forget everything and made me happy. She was just one of those people who could do that."

Clothier leaves behind her parents, Patti and Steve Clothier, younger sister Mikaela and older siblings Lyndsay Salina and Scott Richie.

The family has set up the Emily Clothier Memorial Fund to support junior ski racers.

"Emily wants you out there racing," Patti Clothier said, addressing Emily's teammates during the service. "Get your skis on. Make her proud."

Memorial fund established Donations will be accepted to benefit the Emily Clothier Memorial Fund. Make checks payable to Bank of the West, 2161 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. The Emily Clothier Memorial Fund will be used to perpetuate the future development of junior ski racing in South Lake Tahoe.