Parents of 3-year-old Auburn girl announce her death following battle with cancer

A 3-year-old girl who had been fighting cancer for much of her life died at her home, only days after her hometown held a parade in her honor.

June Peden-Stade, daughter of Ali Peden and Adam Stade of auburn, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at the age of four. June's fight against the disease was chronicled on a Facebook page created by the family.

Juney passed away at 8:00 p.m. last night, in our home, in my and Adam's arms," her mother wrote. She will be missed, but we're happy that she's doing well again. We will see you again.

At 13 months old, June was diagnosed with ablastoma, a cancer of the brain and spine.

She liked going to the playground with her parents and playing with her friends. She was well liked by everyone who met her.

Peden said that she made a new friend wherever she went. The sweetest thing about her is that everyone who meets her just loves her.

Her dying wish was to have a parade held in her honor, something that the city of auburn, with the help of Make-a-wish Illinois, was able to accomplish last Saturday. The dying girl's day was brightened by hundreds of people, vehicles and organizations coming to auburn.

The city declared December 17 as June Peden-Stade Day because she "selflessly made a wish for a cause greater than herself and brought together an entire community and all of central Illinois."

June Peden-Stade Day was declared by the City of Taylorville.

The original article was on State Journal-Register.