Fitzgerald Family and Friends Gather for Celebration of Saoirse

More than 75 relatives, friends, and supporters gathered at the Fitzgerald home for a candlelight vigil, full with memories, laughter, and tears on Dec. 14.

The Fitzgerald's 19-month-old daughter Saoirse passed away on Dec. 13, following a .

At the vigil, family and friends recounted memories of Saoirse and the things she loved; dancing, Elmo, Curious George. They sang her favorite song "Old McDonald," using her favorite animals noises, a monkey, lion and dog, and later sang "You Are My Sunshine" and "Silent Night."

Some of Saoirse's best friends, the playmates she met at her baby group in Beverly when she was two months old were at her vigil; their mothers organized the remembrance.

"Boy, I gotta tell you, Saoirse would've loved this," father Mike Fitzgerald said, noting her curiousity for life and love for interacting with new people.

Mike spoke about neuroblastoma, the struggles they encountered throughout her seven month battle, and his hope to raise awareness about the childhood cancer.

"This won't be the last time you hear of us," he said. Saoirse, a lover of all people, he said he believes would want him to continue to help others.

"She came into this world smiling," her paternal grandmother said. "And she smiled through it all. She was a joy."

A public service has been arranged for this weekend, with details to be released soon.

The family said they only had one requirement.

"No black clothes," they said. "Saoirse would've never gone for that. But if you wear miss-matched socks, that's okay."