Becca Schofield's final act of kindness shared at funeral

Becca Schofield, the New Brunswick teenager who inspired acts of kindness around the world, performed her "last act of kindness" on Valentine's Day, the day of love, her uncle said Wednesday during her funeral service.

As cancer ravaged her body, Schofield'sfinal dayswere spent mostly sleeping, Denis Savoiesaid in aeulogy to his niece at a Riverviewchurch.

But on Feb. 14, the 18-year-oldwoke onelast time before succumbing to her inoperable brain tumours three days later at theMonctonHospital.

"We saw, through Becca, how people can be good"

7 years ago

Duration 1:32

About 250 people from across New Brunswick gathered in Riverview Wednesday morning to celebrate the life of Becca Schofield, the teen who inspired acts of kindness around the world.

"With all her wisdom and her courage, she found the strength to tell her family it was time for her to go. She was ready," Savoie told the crowd gathered at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Churchand those following the live video feed of the funeral from theoverflow seating at the church hall.

"This is more than just a gift of love. She gave them the permission, the courage, the serenity to let her go. She gave them peace."

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About 250people from across New Brunswick attended the celebration ofSchofield's life, including dignitaries, such as Lt.-Gov.JocelyneRoy-Vienneau.

The Riverviewteen captured global attention in December 2016when she launchedthe#BeccaToldMeTocampaign after her terminal diagnosis, urging people to perform random acts of kindness.

Thank you [Becca] for leaving the world a better, kinder place.- Denis Savoie, uncle

Savoiethanked the public for supporting the family through to the end ofSchofield's"journey" and for helping make her dream come true.

"She wanted to make a difference on this earth before leaving it and she did," he said.

"We saw, throughBecca, how people can be good. We saw how far kindness can go. We saw how a positive attitude can help you focus on the now to appreciate what you have today."

Schofieldput aside her fearand "focused on living, not dying,"he said.

She "didn't have time to waste having regrets or to complain." She "had a vision and was on a mission."

"Thank you [Becca] for leaving the world a better, kinder place."

Theecumenicalservice, officiated by Father Phil Mulligan and Rev. Dr. Andy O'Neill, also included a performance by Mark Albert of the song You told me to, which was inspired by Schofield.

The service ended withthe coffin being led out of the church to the sound of bagpipes, and white doves were released to applause.

Schofield'sparents, Darren and Anne, her older sister Gabrielle and other tearful extended family members andfriends embraced.

Schofield'saunt,Yvonne Lvesqueof Eel River Crossing, told reporters outside the churchshe is very proud of what her niece accomplished during her short life.

Nurse Linda LeBlanc said she didn't know Schofield, but she wanted to participate in thecelebration of her life and will continue to perform kind actsin her memory.

Kind heart her defining quality

On Tuesday, as the family prepared to say goodbye to BeccaSchofield, her father posted a moving tribute on Facebook.

"To anyone who was lucky enough to know her, their lives will never be the same again," DarrenSchofield wrote of his daughter, describingher and spirit for life, stubborn streak, nurturing mannerand boundless love.

"A kind heart was truly her defining characteristic."

"There is sometimes so much negativity in the world, so much hate, discord, and selfishness, that a soul like Becca's struggles to find their way. She was fortunate enough to find clarity, meaning, and purpose during her prolonged journey with brain cancer."

After going through "two years of helldealing with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and non-stop-nausea," and then being deemed terminal, "she turned it around to try to make life better for other people."

Dosomething to make someone smile.- BeccaSchofield

BeccaSchofieldturned to social media with a goal of creating "a mass act of kindness."

"It's pretty simple," she wrote. "Ifyou see this message, please do an act of kindness for someone else.

"It can be as big or as small as you'd like. Donate to charity, volunteer your time, or even just do the dishes without your parents asking. Shovel someone's walkway or visit someone you know will be alone this holiday season.

"Terry Fox wanted to impact the world, to help make it a better place, and I do too! Dosomething to make someone smileand then tweet what you did under the hashtag #BeccaToldMeTo."

Her simple requestprompted good deeds worldwide. In an interview last February, shetoldCBCshe had received responses to her campaign from as far away as Spain, Japanand Australia.

The movement attracted the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who tweeted about her "bravery, volunteerism & inspiring commitment to community,"and New Brunswick declared the third Saturday in September annual Becca Schofield Day.

'Exceptional life'

Her father told a friend the response has touched and comforted the family.

"It felt like the world had written a love letter to her very existence. [My friend] corrected me by saying that Beccahad written the love letter to all of us."

"I mourn for you Becca, for all the pain you experienced during your too short life. For all your lost dreams. For the many, many things you wanted to do but will never have the chance to do. And I also mourn for us, for the hole in our lives now that can never be filled.

"But I rejoice at the honour I feel at having been a witness to your truly exceptional life."

In lieu of flowers, the Schofieldshave asked for donations to the National Kids Cancer Ride, Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic, Friends of the Moncton Hospital (pediatrics unit), the IWK in Halifax, or the charity of the donor's choice.