Lemont's Ellie Cuiching Dies Of Cancer At 14

LEMONT, IL — Fourteen-year-old Lemont resident Ellie Cuiching has died after battling a brain tumor for several years. Ellie's mom Kyle shared the news on Facebook and said the family is planning a celebration of her life for next week.

"My sweet baby girl was taken from us yesterday. I know that my Grandma and Grandpa have their arms wrapped around her and are taking great care of her. Yesterday was the hardest day of my life," Kyle wrote on Facebook.

In a previous post on Facebook, Kyle shared that Ellie's tumor had spread "like wildfire." The teen had been getting treatment in Miami after a vacation, but was able to fly home to Chicago earlier this week.

According to her obituary, a celebration of Ellie's life will begin with a visitation on Monday, April 29 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Lemont Calvary Church, 1375 State St. The Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, April 30 at 12 p.m. at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene, 12725 Bell Road, Lemont.

The family said the the celebration of life will be casual and attendees should wear green or #elliestrong shirts. In lieu of flowers, you can send donations to the Hope and Friendship Foundation of the #elliestrong GoFundMe.

The Lemont community had rallied around the teen, selling green bracelets and hanging green ribbons all over the town. A GoFundMe had also been created for the Cuiching family and as of April 25, $78,493 has been raised.

The village of Lemont shared condolences with the friends and family of Ellie.

"Her kindness, compassion, talents and strength poured through our village and spread through the entire nation. Ellie will be greatly missed but not forgotten," the village posted on Facebook.

Ellie loved to sing and Kyle had shared videos of Ellie's talent on her blog.

You can visit the #elliestrong Facebook page for more about Ellie.

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