Hockey player Schwartz was 'inspirational'

Family and friends of Saskatchewan hockey player Mandi Schwartz, who died of leukemia Sunday, gathered for her funeral service.

The service was held in the village of Wilcox, south of Regina, and all of Schwartz's hockey teammates from Yale University attended.

"I'm really sad but we're here to celebrate Mandi's life," Jen Matichuk, one teammate, said.

Schwartz, who was 23 when she died, was remembered for how she bravely faced difficult medical treatments, and setbacks, in a very public 2 1/2-year battle against leukemia.

At one point, Schwartz and her family put out a call on social media networks for bone marrow donors to save her life.

It brought new awareness of the need for donors for the treatment.

"It's so inspirational to see how many people have supported her and will continue to be behind her family and cause. Forever," Aleca Hughes, another teammate, said.

Schwartz had a stem cell transplant in September but two months later the cancer returned.

After the service, family and friends took to the Notre Dame High School rink, in a final skate.

Her two brothers and her fianc took turns skating and carrying an urn containing her remains.

Schwartz played forward for the Yale Bulldogs and also attended Canadian women's team camps.

Before heading to Yale, she played girls' hockey for the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox and graduated in 2006.