There is nothing parents fear more than losing one of their children. Ask any mother or father anywhere in the world, and they will tell you the same. Unfortunately, this was the harsh reality faced by the parents of Laura Hillier, who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 13. Four years later, she was declared cancer-free, only to learn that the disease had cruelly returned. Tragically, Laura, a talented and popular student at Nelson High School in Ontario, Canada, passed away on January 20, 2016. Her family confirmed the news via a Facebook page created to keep her friends and followers updated on her battle. “She fought bravely, and you all would have been so proud of her. Her composure, courage, strength, and pure spirit shone through until the end,” her family wrote.
To honor Laura and her inspiring courage, her classmates and teachers did something truly special for her funeral, customizing her coffin to show how much she was loved and missed by everyone. Shortly after, photos of Laura’s coffin spread across the internet, and it’s easy to see why they attracted so much attention. It was late January 2016 when Laura Hillier passed away. At just 18 years old, she died of acute myeloid leukemia while waiting for a transplant. The teenager is said to have left this world surrounded by her loved ones at the hospital.
Laura’s battle against cancer began when she was 13, after being diagnosed with leukemia. After four difficult years of undergoing numerous treatments, she was declared cancer-free. Unfortunately, her cancer reappeared more aggressively in May 2015. Laura, who attended Nelson High School in Ontario, Canada, was known for her love of music and theater. Her classmates decided to adapt the tradition of writing messages in high school yearbooks for Laura’s funeral. Their goal was to give her the loving farewell she deserved as a beloved friend and student. The result was as beautiful and comforting as one could imagine.
To honor Laura, her friends, family, neighbors, teachers, classmates, and the hospital staff who cared for her all wrote messages of love on her coffin. These handwritten and heartfelt notes covered the entire coffin. Upon hearing the news, Laura’s family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. One message read, “You were musical. You were artistic. You were understanding. You were my best friend.” Another said, “So brave and strong. You will always be a hero.” Laura’s favorite color, purple, was everywhere during the funeral. The church was adorned with purple flowers, and everyone who attended wore something purple in their clothing. While it is indescribable that Laura was taken from this world far too soon, it is undeniably comforting to witness the love from her local community.
