NEWTON — In the town where Eleanor P. Miele spent most of her days, and inside the church where she was a parishioner for decades, friends and family gathered Monday morning to remember a life cut short.

More than 100 people packed into the pews at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, the parish where Miele, 57, attended and graduated high school, to celebrate the woman who died last week after an SUV rammed into a local pizza restaurant.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. John Sassani, opened the funeral Mass with a prayer for the deceased and for all those affected by the March 1 crash.

Gregory Morin, a 32-year-old Newton lawyer, was also killed when the vehicle struck Sweet Tomatoes Pizza restaurant in West Newton during the dinner rush. Eight other people were injured, including four employees, three customers, and the driver, who may have suffered from medical issues.

“This is a sadness for the entire community,’’ Sassani said in his homily. “I know that what is happening right now seems to be unimaginable, but hope has effects that can make a huge difference.’’

Bradford Casler, a 55-year-old licensed real estate broker from Newton, was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. As of Monday evening, no charges had been filed and the incident was still under investigation, according to a spokeswoman for Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan’s office. Authorities said Casler’s SUV came down Chestnut Street, failed to stop at the intersection with Washington Street, and smashed through the storefront.

In a previous interview, Miele’s husband, George, said his wife and “best friend’’ had stopped at the Newton restaurant before heading to her church to stuff Easter baskets, as she did every year. Their last conversation was about a problem with their application to refinance their home. “I told her it would all work out,’’ George Miele said Wednesday, his voice breaking. “She said, ‘Remember, I’m going to work [at the church] tonight.’ I said, ‘OK, I’ll see you Wednesday.’?’’

The Mieles had been married for 37 years.

At Monday’s funeral, family and friends remembered Eleanor Miele as a warm and affectionate woman who took pride in her Catholic faith, serving others, and caring for animals — especially cats.

In his homily, Sassani read a Bible passage from the Gospel of John, in which Jesus Christ comforts the sister of a dead man named Lazarus.

“Eleanor was someone who always offered that hope to others, especially in times like these,’’ Sassani said.

Miele’s brother, Ed Desmond, said he took comfort in the family’s religion. He represented the family during the funeral proceedings. He called his sister a faithful servant of the church, and a loving family member with a uniquely wonderful recipe for spaghetti and meatballs. “We know that [Eleanor] has her angel wings now. But as God has promised us, we will see her again,’’ Desmond said. “We love you [Eleanor], and we will miss you.’’

Desmond recounted some of the many activities that his sister enjoyed, including playing with her cats, hosting family gatherings, and participating in volunteer opportunities with her fellow churchgoers.

“Our sister was the hostess with the most-est,’’ Desmond said. “She was a daughter, sister, an aunt, and a co-worker that was loved by many.’’

At the time of her death, Miele was the office manager for Tamkin and Hochberg, a Newton Corner law firm. She was buried at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Watertown.

Miele leaves seven brothers and sisters, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Kathy McCabe and Evan Allen of Globe staff contributed to this report. Astead W. Herndon can be reached at astead.herndon@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @AsteadWH