SAN ANTONIO – Staff and customers filled La Hacienda de los Barrios Sunday, a day after a tragic hot air balloon crash took one the life of the restaurant's waitresses.
Friends and co-workers of Paige Brabson said she was a joy to work with.
"She was so helpful. She'd always go out of her way to help out," said Jerry Zavala, a friend and co-worker of Paige Brabson.
On Saturday morning, Brabson and her mother, Lorilee Brabson, were two of the 16 people who died in the balloon crash near Lockhart.
"Usually I always give her a hug goodbye and that I didn't because I was in a rush to leave I wish I could just hug her one more time and talk to her," Selena Gardea said.
Gardea and Brabson worked together as food servers at the North Side restaurant. The two women and Zavala were such close friends they earned a nickname.
"We were called the La Hacienda Trio," Gardea said.
The trio was known for spending a lot of time together both at work and away. They had recently returned from a road trip to Austin.
"Never a dull moment, always laughing. Always getting into something," said Gardea.
The mother and daughter sent Paige's boss, restaurant manager Paul Cantu, a photo just minutes before the crash. Cantu, a father of three, wondered aloud what lays in store for the daughter Paige left behind.
"It hurts, I have three kids. To think of them growing up without a father is pretty tough. To see this baby, Marylee, growing up without a mom is going to be real hard," Cantu said.
"I'm never going to see her again, to like, laugh with her or talk with her and tell her that I am just so happy that I met you," Zavala said.
Friends, coworkers and restaurant management at La Hacienda de los Barrios said they plan to raise money to help with the unexpected costs that arise with sudden death. Anyone interested in helping can call the restaurant at 210-497-8000.