Mother of woman struck while crossing Elmwood Avenue discusses daughter's legacy

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — "One phone call changes everything."

Bridget Lohr says her Sydney was driven, adventurous, and more than she could hope for in a daughter.

"The best daughter anyone could ask for. Best girlfriend, friend, Sydney loved to travel. She loved school, she loved being a student," Lohr said.

The 21-year-old was on her way to finishing up her degree at Saint Lawrence University, where she double majored in psychology and government. She wanted to be a lawyer. Besides being an active student, she was a dedicated member of chi-omega sorority. There's no doubt, Sydney was a rising star. Then, the unimaginable happened.

Sydney was finishing her shift at Cole's restaurant in July, when she was hit by 26-year-old Mohammed Tanbir, while crossing Elmwood Avenue. She was rushed to ECMC, where she later died.

"We were just in shock for days. It was traumatizing to say the least. It's every parent's worst nightmare," Lohr said.

Bridget says it's not just Sydney's family grieving her loss. Sydney's coworkers, her classmates, and everyone who knew her, misses her.

That's why it's so important for Sydney's family to do something special to honor her. Bridget, along with her husband Brad, have started a scholarship in Sydney's name.

"It was a no-brainer because she loved school so much. I mean right now she would be deciding where she was going to law school. We thought some kid going to Saint Lawrence in her honor, to make it a little bit easier for them to be there would be a beautiful way to honor her," she said.

In May, Bridget will walk across the stage at Saint Lawrence in Sydney's place to accept her daughter's honorary degree.

"It's bittersweet because she should be accepting it on her own behalf and we should be in the audience cheering her on but it's something we would not miss," Bridget said.

The Lohr's plan on holding fundraisers to raise money for the scholarship fund and to ensure their daughter's legacy shines as bright as she did.

"Anything I can do moving forward to make Sydney proud is how I'm going to live the rest of my life, because she is a part of us, she's always with us and we know she's looking down," Bridget said. "I think she'd be so grateful, I do."

To make a donation to the scholarship, click here and use the "in memory of Sydney Lorh '24'" in the dropdown tab.