BRUSHY PRAIRIE - Family, friends, and the community are mourning the loss of Prairie Heights Middle School 7th grader Conlei Walworth.

Conlei was the 13 year-old daughter of Chris and Jill Walworth. She was diagnosed with cancer last spring. According to her Facebook page, Courage for Conlei, she passed away Wednesday morning.

During her battle with cancer, the community wrapped the Walworth family in an outpouring of support. Conlei was one of the recipients of funds from this year’s Liv It Up Foundation. The annual Little John’s Lemonade Stand on Lake Gage, held annually by her classmates and friends at Prairie Heights, Grace Johnson and Emily McCrea and their families each year to benefit local children with cancer, also supported Conlei. In October, she received the proceeds from the 5th annual Boo Cancer event at Trine University.

Conlei was also the 2019 Steuben County Volley-4-a-Cure honorary player, and had a t-shirt themed with a sea turtle because of her love of the animal. This season, the 7th & 8th grade boys basketball teams at Prairie Heights wore socks honoring Conlei. The yellow ribbon for childhood cancer is emblazoned on a black turtle with the saying “Always and forever we fight together.”

Conlei enjoyed life, especially living at the lake and being an avid fisherman. She was an honor student and involved in many activities, including volleyball, basketball, golf, and softball. Many friends have remarked of her witty sense of humor and smile, that remained constant despite her battle with cancer.

In the facebook post that announced her passing, her family remarked the best way people could honor Conlei’s memory was to do something kind in her name and “live life like Conlei”.