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Heersche family
Undated photo of Taylor Heersche
What was supposed to be a welcome-home parade instead turned into a somber candlelight vigil for a terminally ill 15-year-old Kansas girl who died hours before she was to return home.
Residents of the town of Mulvane had decorated Main Street with ribbons and signs in orange — the color of leukemia awareness — to welcome Taylor Heersche home Tuesday evening, The Wichita Eagle reported.
Taylor had been terminally ill with cancer and had told her family she wanted to be at home to die. Doctors at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City told the family she had only a few more days to live, so the plan was to release her to be with her family and friends.
But Taylor passed away Tuesday morning at the hospital, with her parents, DeAnne and Dan Heersche, at her side.
Instead of the parade, Mulvane residents gathered for a candlelight vigil late Tuesday to honor the Mulvane High School sophomore, the Eagle reported.
“I’ll bet every parent says that their kid was special. But she was a real people person. There were no strangers,” DeAnne Heersche said of her daughter, according to the Eagle.
“That kind of kid leaves a huge hole not only in our family, but in the community. We’re all going to miss her horribly.”
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"It's still a homecoming in our eyes, it's just a different home that she's going to, a better home that she's going to, so it's more of a celebration than the grief," Maggie Keys, one of Taylor's classmates, was quoted as saying by KWCH-TV.
Taylor, a sophomore at Mulvane High School, was diagnosed with the leukemia in May 2008 when she was 10.
Taylor's leukemia had been in remission for several years following chemotherapy. But last winter the cancer returned aggressively.
Services are Sunday at Central Community Church in Wichita, with a private burial Monday.
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This town's combine huge heart will hopefully help the healing process this family will need during this time of sorrow...
Peaceful thoughts and prayers to the family (and the town)
This is not national news.
"What is in the public interest is not defined by what is interesting to the public"
Really did you seriously say that. You know what this child was truely an inspiration to everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her. If this was someone who was personally close to you I am sure you would change your tune. Up to her last day she was comforting her family and friends and letting them know it was ok to let her go. SMH at you!
I've had friends and relatives die. At no point did I wonder why it didnt make the national news. Never said this girl's death wasnt tragic. It's just not worthy of national news attention.
W H Y !!... (click my SN) charities must stop funding animal research, B I L L I O N S of dollars every year prove the failure of animal research. a l s o, the TRUTH about polio by albert sabin, m.d., no LIE can live forever!... animal research has never been validated.
"INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results" albert einstein.
I can't come up with the words, but she touched many. May she rest in peace. God bless....
What a tragic loss. My heart goes out to her family and friends. RIP young Taylor.
I've been following Taylor's story for awhile. This article barely scratches the surface at just how incredible this young lady was. She was ready to go Home - and she meant her Heavenly Home. She was actively involved in the decisions regarding her care - she fought when it was time to fight, and helped her loved ones feel at peace when it was time to leave. She is one special girl and will be missed by all who knew her. Enjoy your celebration, Taylor - we can't wait to see you again!
May God give you and your family the strength to overcome this tough time. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family. i have 2 kids myself, thank god they are healthy. I cant imagine the pain you and your family are going through. My family is deeply sorry for your loss, but you know that your daughter is an angel and is in a better place now.
RIP Sweetheart. My thought and prayers to the family and friends.
I have never been so proud to say that my hometown is Mulvane. The way the town has come together for this young girl and her family is absolutely amazing. Taylor you were loved by many and will be missed dearly by all. To the Heersche family my thoughts and prayers remain with you! God has definately gained one amazing Angel!
Thoughts and prays go out to the her family. Sad to see someone so young go but she's in a better place down them. God Bless.
Saw the Katie Couric show today. Her guests were people who had died, went to heaven, and returned. Their lives are now dedicated to telling us how lovely it is to be greeted by departed family members and being in the most beautiful, loving, peaceful place imaginable. As a mom of a teenage daughter, I pray that Taylor Heersche is there now.
I'm so sorry for these parents and her loved ones. I'm also undergoing cancer treatments. same story. Chemo shrunk the tumor substantially and my parents were elated. The last couple months were so great. there was hope! Last scan a couple weeks ago showed substantial tumor growth now I'm doing aggressive chemo and radiation. I can't even bring myself to tell my elderly parents this latest turn. It will break their hearts. This youngster was a trooper because believe me you cannot know the stress and fatigue these treatments bring to the table, but having to see the pain and sorrow of parents watching their child grow weaker by the day and the probability they will have to bury their child is unspeakable horror. Horrible disease...a monster living in my body which I cannot control.......... :(
YumYumTree - I'm sorry to hear that your Tumor is growing, I hope the Chemo reverses it for you.
RIP Taylor.
My heartfelt sympathies to the family & friends of this lovely young woman. I'm glad the community came together to show their support for the family, it's very touching to know that they all cared so much. May she rest in peace.
@cantakenomore - My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife. Though I have not been thru what you and your wife have, I've had my share of medical issues and I have watched one of my best friends pass away from cancer. It is a horrible thing. And I hope your wife's chemo does the trick.
I am going to a function this weekend to help raise money for Cancer and it will be donated to the Duke Cancer Center in NC.
As for the 15yr old - RIP little angle. Prayers go out to your friends and family
Marsha,
cancer doesn't need money! People with cancer do....
Oh WOW. How terribly sad. God Bless her and everyone else
Cancer victims, and loved ones
I have a website for anyone who knows or has cancer, it shares my story. I am stage 4 melanoma... bradleydallasnorth . net
I have blogs, history, Faith, Inspirational Hopes and you may also contact me through it, my prayer's are with you!!!
It is sad that this girl had to suffer and die at such a young age.
What is more appalling is the sick bastards on this site who say things like "God Bless" and "our prayers are with you." What a bunch of crap!
You know what it means when you say things like "we will pray for you?" It REALLY means, "We aren't really going to do anything for you, but we want you to THINK we are doing something for you." Can you get any more deceptive and lazy than that?
What do people think when you say things like "God Bless?" We think, "If you really believe in God, then why did HE bring the curse of cancer on us in the first place? What an evil and cruel being your God must be!"
Stop believing this crap and do something about cancer and other horrible diseases. We aren't living in the dark ages anymore. We know what causes cancer and we know how to cure it. Take action! Donate money! Just do something besides sit there and blame your imaginary friend.
hey jackass,
the day you started believing money will save a life, is the day you proved the dark ages still do exist in some peoples mind. Your money (if you have any) can't even buy you happiness, because you are pathetic. Nobody is blaming God for this girls death.... We are all going to die and you should call yourself dr. knowitall, because I have been to the best in the world and they will tell you when it is your time, your gone!
I am an exception and my imaginary friend kept me alive after the drs sent me home from Duke
to die. I don't have money, but I do have faith and I wouldn't trade one for the other...
Why are you so angry with God or are you your own god? My God and your's is very LOVING and MERCIFUL, don't blame him foor your hatred...because HE does love you whether or not you love HIM!
there are millions donated and people are still dying from this disease, so if you want to make other's happy give your money and they will still die.... but you will feel better... and Thanks for giving! It is what Jesus would approve of!!!
May you find peace, in YOUR heart!
Jeez, this really makes you appreciate life and having a healthy family. After reading this I have made a promise to myself and that's to NEVER take what I have for granted. I just couldn't take it I think if this were my daughter. They must be so strong. Having your little girl, your baby girl, that you have loved more than life itself, tell you that she wants to go home and die. What strength. This is literally the saddest thing I've heard in a long time. I only wish she could have made it home and been suprised by the parade that the town through just for her. That would have been so special.
I just want to say, my heart goes out to her family. This article honestly moved me and I know now I am definitely going to look at my daughter differently. I will never take one day that I get to spend with her for granted. Again, this just shows how precious our childrens lives really are.
Wow. . . such a sad world. Sad that kids die so young and never have a chance to really live, but whats even more sad are the @!$%#ed up mind control brain washed people that are attacking this guy merlin for his spirtual beliefs!
I dont think any of us REALLY KNOW what happens to our souls when we die. . .so until you die AND COME BACK TO TELL US ABOUT IT ! Then i think you need to sit down and shut up! Or move out of this country ! See im for free speach, im for freedom of religion.
Thats so young to have to go through that. Very sad indeed.
my name is joan and this story broke mine heart i thank god everynight that my daughter kabra was born heathy and she will be 30 in feb.but it really make me sad that her life was cut too short but know she has no more pain and she is in heaven dancing with the angels of god ill pray for her family comfort and love what is heart warming is all the suporrt of her cummuity what more can u ask for may you rest in pease god little angel
and one more thing what i dont understand and i belive in god with all of my heart why dont god stop this from happening he could had heal her he is the healer but i dont think it is right that her life ended too soon she was too young she had a full life too live and it was taken from her too soon but god had his reson for taking her so soon we all just need too keep the faith and no better not say anything about us christains may the family and friends of this little girl be strong
Please remember this young lady this Thanksgiving and be grateful for the lives, health and loved ones that we have. This Thanksgiving give Thanks to God for our health and our loved one's health and everything we have unlike the poor people who lost so much to Huricane Sandy. Think about it people and seriously appreciate what we have and say a prayer for those who have lost so much.
To all the family and friends of this littrle angel, she is with GOD and is one of his special angels, may she rest in peace, Amem.