HOUSTON -- Hundreds gathered at a church in Katy Saturday morning to remember a young girl who captured the attention of people all over the country.
A "celebration of life" was held at Bear Creek Baptist Church for two-year-old Layla Grace Marsh.
The Cypress toddler died last week after a 10-month long battle with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.
“It’s bittersweet,” said family friend Jennifer Medina. “It’s sad that she’s gone, but happy that she’s no longer suffering.”
While family and friends filled the church, so did complete strangers.
Layla Grace’s story took on a life of its own. People everywhere followed her battle with the massive cancerous tumor. She had thousands of followers on the social networking sites Twitter and Facebook.
“I learned about Layla’s story about two weeks ago and started following it,” said Katy resident Stacey Mills. “I just felt it’s something I needed to do to support the family and show how many people are really out there for her.”
Following the hour-long service, hundreds met on a field next to the church and released about 1500 pink and purple balloons. Many said that’s the closest they could get to the little girl who taught people a lesson 20 times her age.
“I’ve learned more from a two-year-old than I have from high school and college in my 24 years of life. She taught me about endurance and faith and just waking up every day and being happy to be alive,” said Medina. “We all know where Layla is. She’s in Heaven and those balloons will hopefully reach her with all of the prayers that everyone is sending.”
