'She has inspired people to be kind': Friends, family and community members attend celebration of life for 5-year-old Pewaukee girl Delaney Krings

NEW BERLIN - In a church filled with pink and purple flowers and lighting, and mourners wearing rainbow-themed attire, community members gathered Saturday to remember Delaney Krings, the Pewaukee girl whose brave fight against cancer touched people around the world.

The celebration of Delaney's life was held at Poplar Creek Church in New Berlin. She passed away in her parents' arms Jan. 28 following a three-month battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to an obituary from Piasecki Funeral Home.

The nation and even the world rallied behind Delaney and her family when word got out that Delaney would be celebrating her "final birthday" Dec. 16. Delaney turned 5.

On Saturday, the girl was remembered for her love of Peppa Pig, anything Disney especially from the movie "Frozen," an infectious personality and a smile she gave her family even in her last days.

Her older sister Brooklyn had many words to describe her sister including "the kindest and bravest girl." She also admitted Delaney could be "stubborn."

"Whatever she was, she was still my sister," she said. "I loved her."

Brooklyn recalled that one time she was crying and Delaney asked, "Why are you sad?" Delaney took it upon herself to cheer up her older sister.

"She did a silly dance," Brooklyn said.

Her sister recalled when Delaney was born, she made a promise to her sister: "I promise to love you all your life and forever."

Now, she said she made her sister a new promise: to love her forever and to "remember her forever."

'She is whispering into your heart'

Delaney's mother, Heather Krings, thanked everyone for coming and supporting Delaney and her family through her health journey. The family can make peace knowing that "we did everything we could to make her comfortable, making sure she is not hurting and telling her how much we loved her," Krings said.

"She is not truly gone," her mother emphasized. "She is whispering into your heart, letting us know how to be kind."

"And to love your people," she said.

Delaney's father, Jack Krings, shared heartfelt thoughts read by presiding pastor Rick Painter.

He emphasized that we all have a "piece of Delaney's soul."

"Delaney is still with you," Delaney's father wrote. "Show her wonderful things, make new friends and memories with that piece of her. Be kind to others so she can experience everything she was meant to."

Delaney was also survived by her older brother Carson.

'Touched more people around the world than most people in a lifetime'

Being kind was the ultimate legacy that Delaney leaves, Painter said. That's reflected also by the messages on the For the Love of Delaney Facebook page.

"Delaney’s beautiful soul touched many people’s hearts during her short time on this earth, and when her story was shared around the world so was her light. Delaney’s legacy is that she has inspired people to be kind. Please know that now our Sweet Angel Baby is sharing a little bit of her love with you now, too. She wants you to know that she’s here to help all of us find the light when it’s dark, find the love when you’re sad, and be kind," according to the obituary at Piasecki Funeral Home.

For Delaney's birthday celebration in December, friends, family, business owners and community members offered cards, food, blankets, gifts, gift certificates for special places and other tributes. A parade, organized by the Wisconsin Truck Takeover Enthusiasts, amassed hundreds of vehicles and parade participants. She received thousands of birthday cards from across the nation and around the world.

Delaney was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer near the end of October.

"The type of cancer she has, DMG, has very little positive response to any current treatment available. In addition to the severity and size of her tumor when it was first found basically sealed her fate just 12 short weeks ago. I have read medical textbooks, research papers, etc. etc. etc. for months and have found very little hope in any of them," her mother wrote on a CaringBridge post.

Her mother said her legacy is her ability to touch lives and connect people with each other. Delaney's mother emphasized on CaringBridge that Delaney's spirit and personality can remind people that "all it takes is kindness and a genuine smile" to lift people's spirits.

"I believe the love for this kiddo has connected our community, our country and our world like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before. It is absolutely breathtaking and a fitting tribute to a small yet mighty person who truly touched the heart of everyone her smile has reached."

Near the end of Delaney's celebration of life, a recording of Delaney's heartbeat was played, while "You are my Sunshine" was sung.

"She touched more people around the world than most people in a lifetime," Painter said.

After Delaney's celebration of life, a private procession with family, fire, EMS, police and close friends left the church to travel to Highland Memorial Park in New Berlin where interment was private.

To remember Delaney and to support Delaney's family

In lieu of flowers, donations in Delaney’s honor can be made to the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha HAWS by hawspets.org, or to 701 Northview Road, Waukesha.

Delaney's GoFundMe is www.gofundme.com/f/delaney-krings

More: How this Franklin woman with stage 4 cancer is helping others 'Live 4 Today'

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Community members gathered to remember 5-year-old Delaney Krings who died of brain cancer