About 80 people turned out to help plant a tree of life in the memory of Aaliyah Rosa at the Sunflower Montessori school she used to attend in Walnut Grove on Monday.
Her father, Steve Rosa, planted the cherry tree and laid a plaque.
It reads 鈥淚n Loving Memory, Aaliyah Isabella Rosa.鈥�
鈥淎lthough she lived a short life, she had many who loved and cherished her,鈥� one of the event organizers said during the ceremony.
鈥淲e would love to have the memory of Aaliyah live on forever and so we have decided to plant this tree, this cherry tree, here as a symbol of this beautiful girl that is now with us in spirit.鈥�
Aaliyah was found deceased inside a 91原创 apartment on July 22. She was seven years old.
Her death was deemed a homicide and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took charge of the case.
Aaliyah鈥檚 mother, 36-year-old Kerryann Lewis, was arrested and charged on Aug. 17 with second degree murder for the girl鈥檚 death.
The tree of life ceremony concluded with the release of 99 pink balloons, Aaliyah鈥檚 favourite colour.
Her best friend, Stella, released one purple balloon in her honour.
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One of Aaliyah鈥檚 former teachers, Ms. Angie, gave an emotional thank you to Aaliyah鈥檚 dad for being a 鈥渇antastic, amazing, patient, calm father.鈥�
鈥淓ven though Aaliyah was with us for a short time, she was blessed to have you, Steve Rosa, as a father,鈥� Ms. Angie said.
During the ceremony, it was also announced that a fund has been created that will, every month, provide a $300 grant to parents to help them spend more time with their children.
鈥淭his fund is for her, it鈥檚 from her and it鈥檚 in loving memory of her,鈥� an event organizer said.
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