As tears poured down her face, Xiaomin Xia stood in front of more than 200 people Saturday and told them her sister was always a brilliant and happy girl.

"She cherished life and friendship," Xiaomin Xia said. "Open your eyes and see all that is left -- love and go on."

Xiaomin Xia, along with colleagues and friends, gathered at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center to remember Penn State graduate student Xiaohui Xia, who died Tuesday, five days after she was hit by a car on the 100 block of Allen Street.

Friends from the Chinese community, graduate students, other acquaintances and co-workers who were touched by Xia's short time at Penn State slowly trickled into the main worship hall.

Many of the attendees, most dressed in black, talked quietly and others sobbed while they walked past numerous floral bouquets and photos of the 25-year-old as quiet piano music filled the large hall.

Xiaohui Xia, who is from China, lost her father when she was 12 years old. Her adviser in the food science department, Steve Knabel, said he was in some ways like a second father to her.

"She really was, in my mind, a precious jewel," he said. "I am going to do everything possible to give back to this family."

Knabel, who paused briefly to compose himself, said when Xiaohui Xia first came to Penn State, she was intimidated by him.

"After she found out I was OK, she would come to me with a long list of questions, and we would spend a long time discussing everything," he said.

Xiaohui Xia's sister and aunt flew from China after the food science department informed them of her condition. Her mother was unable to come to the United States because she is in poor health. Arrangements have been made to fly Xiaohui Xia's body back to China.

Fellow food science graduate student Wei Qin said Xiaohui Xia had a cheerful and considerate personality. Qin said Xia was so diligent she planned on switching from a master's to a doctoral program. "Valentine's Day, on a day most others were sharing with their loved ones, we lost one of our good friends," she said.

Qin said Xia tried to ensure everyone else had fun.

"I will carry on her great personality," Qin said.

Nan Lv said she and Xia first started talking on the Internet before Xia even left China.

"The day she booked her plane ticket, she e-mailed me and told me she will have a happy life here," she said.

Lv said she regretted that after the school year started they were busy with work and research and weren't able to talk much.

"Now I feel like a part of me is gone," she said. "She had become a dear friend, like part of our family."

Eva Pell, the vice president for research and dean of the graduate school; Lewis Jillings, executive director and associate dean for internationalization; John Floros, food science department head; Baoming Li, the adviser of Chinese Friendship Association; and Rev. David Lin, the pastor of the Chinese Alliance Church all spoke at Xia's memorial service. The Chinese Alliance Church choir sang a song in remembrance of Xia as well.

A representative from the Consulate General of People's Republic of China in New York briefly told the audience, in Chinese, that all students need to take care of their health and safety to avoid similar incidents.

Baofang Liu, the final of Xia's eight close friends to speak, said even though Xia is no longer with us, she will always be remembered.

"Her passion, her kindness, optimism and compassion will always be with us," she said. "I'm sure she is smiling with us."

The car that hit Xia on Feb. 9 was driven by Harris Township Supervisor Clifford Warner, 73. The investigation is still under way, and the State College Police Department is awaiting a report from an accident reconstructionist.