When Laura Hillier was thirteen, she was diagnosed with leukemia. After four years in remission, the cancer returned. Sadly, on January 20, 2016, Laura, a talented student at Nelson High School in Ontario, Canada, passed away from this illness.

Her family posted on the Hope for Laura Facebook page: “You all would have been really proud of her for her valiant battle. Until the very end, her composure, bravery, strength, and unadulterated spirit were evident.”

To honor Laura, her family, friends, and teachers decorated her casket with vibrant markers, turning it into a beautiful artwork. The images and story went viral, touching people worldwide.

Laura, who loved drama and music, died at 18 from acute myeloid leukemia while awaiting a transplant. She passed away in a Canadian hospital, surrounded by loved ones.

Her friends and relatives wanted her funeral to feel like a traditional “yearbook send-off.” They transformed her coffin into an exquisite yearbook, with heartfelt notes written in various colors. One inscription read: “Life is a melody. Sing as much as you want to.”

Purple, Laura’s favorite color, was incorporated into the funeral ceremony, from flowers to attire. Donations in Laura’s honor can be made to Coast to Coast, a nationwide organization working to eradicate childhood cancer.