Nurse, 26, Who Drowned at Glacier National Park Was a 'Free Spirit' Who Loved 'Being in Nature'

Loved ones are remembering Gillian Starr Tones, who died after being swept up into a waterfall at Glacier National Park.

The Pennsylvania native and traveling nurse, 26, died at the Montana park on Sunday, June 23. On Tuesday, June 25, loved ones reflected on both her "unexpected passing" and her legacy in a message shared on a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $20,000 on behalf of her family.

“She was a truly bright light in the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her," the message read, noting that Tones “had an uncanny ability to lift the spirits of those around her,” as well as a “remarkable gift for making people feel seen and valued."

“Though her time with us was far too short, the impact of her life on those she shared it with will be long remembered,” the message continued. “She taught us to embrace life fully, love deeply and always look for the good in others.”

According to her obituary, Tones “loved hiking, traveling, and being in nature,” and “liked listening to different varieties of music, especially old country and folk songs.”

She is survived by "an older brother/sister in law, two little sisters, mother and father, & a boyfriend of almost two years among many others who are going to miss her dearly."

Speaking with Pittsburgh outlet WTAE, Dillon Tones said that his sister was a “free spirit,” and described her as both "adventurous" and "ambitious."

"She was just always open to new ideas, new walks of life. She was very accepting of anybody and everybody,” Dillon told the outlet, noting that she died shortly before her 27th birthday.

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The National Park Service announced Gillian’s death in a press release on Monday, June 25. Officials said she drowned after falling into the water above St. Mary Falls on the east side” of the park in the afternoon.

“According to witnesses, the woman was washed over the falls and trapped under water for several minutes. Bystanders pulled her from the water below the falls and administered CPR until emergency responders arrived,” the statement said.

Resuscitation efforts were terminated at about 7 p.m. She never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the scene.