Martial arts community holds memorial for Olivia Passaretti

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE)- Members from the New England martial arts community gathered on Saturday afternoon to remember Olivia Passaretti, who was killed while driving home early on New Year’s day.

The memorial was held at State of the Arts Karate and Wellness Center at 2 p.m.

Passaretti was a black belt at the center, where she grew up as a student and eventually became an instructor.

“She really touched a lot of kids here a lot of the smaller kids here that are here with their parents today are the kids that she had a hand in teaching and developing and they love her,” said Passaretti’s stepfather Dennis Molloy, who was also an instructor at the center.

Molloy, and Passaretti’s mother Janine are hoping that the memorial, as well as the impact that Olivia had on those who knew her, makes a change.

We are all here to make a stand against this type of tragedy. Our sons and daughters are being killed on the streets, Janine Passaretti said.