\NORTH ATTLEBORO -- Tina Ayer was an artist, dancer and devoted music lover who could often be found singing karaoke when she wasn't caring for her two children or performing in one of a handful of show and tribute bands to which she belonged.

But the Warwick 33-year-old was a great deal more to a circle of friends with whom she shared a passion for life and music. Ayer died three years ago in The Station nightclub fire in Warwick that took 100 lives.

`` Tina was the kind of person who always thought of other people before herself,'' said Annie Olivo, a North Attleboro resident who knew Ayer for nearly 20 years and shared her enthusiasm for rock and roll. Olivo, who suffers from cerebral palsy, said when she was with her friend she always felt safe.

`` She protected me,'' she said. `` She was more like a big sister.''

Now Olivo and Rick Champagne, a songwriter and rock singer from the band Real Lives, say they are trying to carry Ayer's caring legacy forward with a song tribute available free via the Internet. They're also sending copies to families dealing with loss.

`` It's a way of letting people know that they aren't alone,'' said Champagne, also a friend of Ayer, who said he hopes the music will bring some comfort to the afflicted.

The song, titled `` Heaven's Light,'' describes the pain of losing a loved one wrapped in the realization that they have gone to a better place.

The lyric also places confidence in the belief that the separated will one day be reunited in heaven.

While the song is available to download free online, Olivo also sends CD copies of the tune to families she reads about in the news who have suffered tragedy, such as the mother of college student Natalee Holloway, who disappeared on the island of Aruba.

Olivo said she awoke early on the morning of Feb. 20, 2003, and saw a cable news flash about a `` Rhode Island nightclub fire.''

As she and Champagne watched the live coverage, they realized that they were looking at The Station, a club they had frequented and where Ayer had performed.

Olivo didn't know at the time that Ayer had been at the club that night for the performance by `80s rock icons Great White, but quickly learned that her friend had been given tickets by lead singer Jack Russell at the Fairfield Inn where she worked.

She said she called Ayer's cell phone number, but got no answer.

Champagne and Olivo joined the crowds thronging the Crown Plaza for news of missing friends and relatives, and later learned that their friend was not among the survivors. Increasing the horror was film footage inside the club actually showing Ayer's face as she moved toward the exit.

Olivo says she remains deeply affected by the incident and troubled by criminal prosecution that convicted one of the band's employees, but so far has left Russell and others untouched.

But she said that's not as important as keeping Ayer's memory alive.

`` I want to keep this positive,'' she said.

Olivo said the public would be moved if they knew her friend as she did.

Ayer, whose nickname was `` Blackie'' because of her affection for black clothing and leather jackets, met Olivo when both were working at the former Rocky Point Amusement Park years ago. They immediately became friends.

Olivo said Ayer had at one time been homeless and never forgot those who misfortune placed in harm's way.

Often times, if she found a person who needed temporary shelter, she would take them home with her. She also volunteered at Traveler's Aid.

`` She always had a smile for you,'' Olivo said. `` It didn't matter who they were. Tina always made people feel better about themselves.''

`` Heaven's Light'' can be downloaded from the following Web site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=90041

rdrtrdrsrdrw15rsp160 RICK FOSTER can be reached at 508-236-0428 or at rfoster(at)(at)thesunchronicle.com.