Homewood mother's sudden loss inexplicable to daughter

The family of a Homewood woman killed when she was struck by a falling utility pole still can't find the words to explain to a 3-year-old that her mommy isn't coming home.

Marquetta A. Grate, 28, an aspiring model, died Friday while undergoing surgery for injuries suffered when she was hit on the head by the 800-pound metal pole that had been knocked off its base by a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Paulson and Frankstown avenues in Larimer.

"How do you tell a 3-year-old that her mommy is gone?" asked a cousin, Genara Burnett, during a news conference Monday outside Coston Funeral Home Inc. on Lincoln Avenue in Larimer.

Grate had just left her daughter, Naima Grate-Veney, at the Kingsley Association community center shortly before 8:30 a.m. and was waiting for a bus to return home.

City police said the tractor-trailer — owned by Penske and leased by Levin Furniture of Westmoreland County — was making a slight right turn onto Frankstown from Broad Street when it hit the pole.

"We're having a hard time comprehending the whole accident," said Grate's cousin, Denise Shealey. "A pole• A pole• We're all still in shock. We're just devastated."

Grate was a 1999 graduate of Westinghouse High School who attended classes at the University of Pittsburgh and was pursuing a career in modeling, Shealey said.

"This is a tragedy for her family," Burnett said. "To know her was to love her."

Shealey said the family has set up a trust fund for Naima at National City Bank. She said donations can be made at any bank branch.

Michael Rosenzweig, an attorney with Edgar Snyder & Associates, said the family is concerned about Naima's future and vowed to do what is necessary to "get the family justice ... to get them answers."

He said an investigation into the accident continues.

In addition to her daughter, Grate is survived by her companion and Naima's father, Branden Veney; her parents, Anthony Williams and Gloria Grate; a brother, Edward T. Grate; a sister, Jazmine J. Williams; and her grandmother, Jean Owens-Grate.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, 271 Paulson Ave., Larimer, where services will be held Thursday. Burial will be in Homewood Cemetery.