The community is remembering a woman who was the face of a local animal hospital.

Monica Wilson, from Westport, was killed a week ago Sunday when a wrong-way driver hit her head-on in Bridgeport on Route 8 near Exit 2. The single mother died the day before her 42nd birthday.

"It’s been hard to come to work every day," said Dr. Michele Lamothe at the Broad River Animal Hospital in Norwalk.

Flowers and well wishes came in to the Broad River Animal Hospital where Monica Wilson worked for 18 and a half years.

Sympathy cards cover the window sills, offering condolences for the tragic loss.

"She wanted to make her mark, she wanted to help people and do something important," said Lamothe.

Wilson's two youngest boys were in the car with her during the time of the accident, but suffered injuries not considered to be life-threatening.

"She was just our sunshine. She was our glue. She always had a smile on her face. She always had a positive attitude and she was the one that just propped us all up all the time," said Lamothe.

"My daughter was a beacon of light," said Andrea Wilson, who spoke to News 12 Connecticut from Yale-New Haven Hospital, where Monica Wilson's two youngest boys are recovering from the accident.

A memorial fund has been set up for all three of her boys by Animal Nation. Kenny, 8, has a back and neck brace and 7-year-old Kash has broken bones.

"The accident was tragic but I'm just glad my boys are OK. And I know she'd want me to keep going and keep the boys in line," said Andrea Wilson.

Andrea Wilson says she is going to take care of the boys. Family and friends say Monica Wilson touched so many people.

"I told my husband that we did a good thing raising her. And I appreciate from a mother's broken heart what everybody is doing," said Andrea Wilson.

The family says police told them the driver of the van that hit Wilson is still alive and was running from somebody else he just hit on Park Avenue. No charges have been filed yet.

"I don't know what we're going to do without her," said Lamothe.

The family is planning a private service for Monica Wilson.