Twelve-year-old Katy Stewart of North Haven died Thursday following a battle with cancer.
Katy was a seventh grader at .
Katy's parents announced her passing Thursday morning on CaringBridge.org, a website for connecting loved ones during serious health events:
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"Early this morning as the sun was rising in pink hue over the harbor, our beautiful and beloved daughter and Robert's sister, Katy, became an angel in heaven. She was a special gift to the lives of those who knew her, a kind and thoughtful child who was a giving and generous soul. She was a magnificent blessing to our lives and words can't really express just how we much we loved her so. We extend our deepest gratitude to this community, and our friends and family beyond. You made our journey lighter, and touched Katy's heart in so many ways. Please say a prayer for her. She will be with us always."
John Gratto, the superintendent of Sag Harbor School District, said in an e-mail Wednesday that the entire school district family mourns her passing.
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"Katy was a special part of our schools," Gratto wrote. "She will be remembered as a wonderful student, classmate and friend.
"We will remember Katy as a bright, hard working student with many gifts and talents. All who knew Katy appreciated her radiant smile and kind, generous spirit. Her life brought great joy to all who knew her.
"The Sag Harbor school family admires the grace and courage Katy and her family demonstrated during her illness. Our deepest condolences are offered to the Stewart family during this time of grief and remembrance," Gratto concluded.
Viewings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. both days, at in East Hampton.
A funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at in Sag Harbor, followed by a reception in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Max Cure Foundation, and designated either to a scholarship fund to be established in Katy's memory at or to pediatric cancer research in memory of Katy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The donations are tax deductible with 100 percent of the donations going to either of the designated causes. Checks should be mailed to the Foundation at 21 Settler's Lane, Westfield, New Jersey 07090. The scholarship will be awarded to students who exemplify remarkable courage, kindness and empathy.
