Nevaeh Denine's family remember fearless girl who could 'move a mountain'

The death of Nevaeh Denine, whose famous lemonade stand raised over $100,000for children just like herbattling cancer, has left a void that's keenly felt by her friends, family, and the wider community.

The 9-year-old St. John's girl died Monday after a long battle with a rare form of cancer called neuroblastomathat she was diagnosed with when she was just 2 years old.

"You weren'tgoing to stop her. She would move a mountain, she could jump over your house, there was no limit to her, and she was fearless," said BarbDenine Evans, Nevaeh's great aunt.

DenineEvans said Nevaeh made it to her annual lemonade stand at the end of July, and was out swimming on Regatta Day Aug. 1, despite back-to-back therapy and radiation which depleted her energy.

Health declined suddenly in past week

This past Friday, however, her health took a turn for the worse after she had a blood transfusion.

"As she was coming out of the Janeway, she told her mom she wasn't feeling well, and when they turned around they went back in the Janeway. and she was admitted right away," said Denine Evans.

"Her mom said you could see the look of peace on her face when they took her back in, and she didn't wanna come back home, and her breathing became shallow."

It was a sudden turn of events for the close knit family, and they rallied to be by Nevaeh's side in her final days.

One thing that has brought some measure of comfort, Denine Evans said, is the outpouring of kind words the family has received from people all over the province and beyond.

"Dealing with the grief of losing her, and the void that's left in the pit of your stomach, the messages coming back in ...it's almost like it's an even balance," she said.

"People are really trying to offer their best condolences."

Remember her as a 'true icon'

Nevaeh's aunt wants her positive legacy to be remembered.

She said that at no point did Nevaehever give in to her illness, or let it stop her from experiencing joy.

After every chemo treatment, or hospital stay, she would be ready to get out and enjoy the world right away.

"If she can do this, so can the next person, so don't give up," said Denine Evans.

"Just because it took her, it doesn't matter, just keep going. You have a family to live for. She lived it for everybody and herself."

DenineEvans said there are lessons to be learned fromNevaeh'sstory about living life to the fullest.

"For somebody who's nine, if she didn't change your perspective on how you live, nobody would," she said.

"She is definitely a true icon in my opinion."

Started lemonade stand in 2014

After finding herself inspired while watching theJanewayTelethon,Nevaehbegan a fundraising effort in 2014 calledNevaeh'sLemonade Stand to help other kids with like herself.

The lemonade stand became a huge social event, attended by tens of thousands of people.

After news ofNevaeh'sdeath spread, people from across the province and beyond started posting condolences on social media, including Premier Dwight Ball,St. John's Mayor DannyBreen, and foundations that help sick children and families of sick children.

The City of St. John's said it will light city hall and the convention centre in yellow on Tuesday night in honour of Nevaeh.

A funeral will be held for NevaehDenineon Aug. 9 at St. Kevin's Parish at 10 a.m.

She spoke with CBC News in 2015 after a successful lemonade stand fundraiser that year. You can watch that previous report in the media player.

5 year old cancer patient says thank you with lemonade and raises money for kids with cancer

9 years ago

Duration 1:58

Neveah Denine is only five, but she's been battling cancer for almost two years. NOW, Neveah's thanking the people who helped save her life.

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