The family of a 19-year-old Palo Alto High School graduate who died from complications of a meningococcal disease that was diagnosed last month is holding a memorial service for her Saturday in Los Altos Hills.
Meningococcal disease is best known for causing meningitis, which is the inflammation of protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and has a high mortality rate if it goes untreated.
Emily Benatar, who was in her first year at Washington University in St. Louis, died last Wednesday at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with her family by her side, university Chancellor Mark Wrighton said.
Benatar was one of the captains of the lacrosse team in her senior year at Palo Alto High School, helping guide the team to a 16-8 overall record and a second place finish in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.
The memorial will be held at Congregation Beth Am, located at 26790 Arastradero Rd. in Los Altos Hills, at 7 p.m., Wrighton said.
