'She's the sweetest thing': Illinois girl dies from aggressive cancer at age 3

Zach Roth, Journal Star
·2 min read
11

A 3-year-old girl who had been fighting cancer for much of her life died Thursday night at her home, only days after her home city of Auburn held a parade in her honor.

June Peden-Stade, daughter of Ali Peden and Adam Stade of Auburn, suffered from stage 4 neuroblastoma, an aggressive type of kidney cancer normally found in children under the age of 10. The family announced their daughter's death on a Facebook page they created to chronicle June's fight against the disease.

"Our sweet Juney passed away at 8:00 p.m. last night, in our home, in me & Adam’s arms," her mother wrote in the post. "She will be so dearly missed but we’re so happy knowing that she’s playing and pain-free again. Until we see you again, sweet girl."

June Peden-Stade, 3, of Auburn, who has cancer, reacts as she watches through her screen door window as the the Make a Wish parade for her passes by her home Saturday Dec. 17, 2022.
June Peden-Stade, 3, of Auburn, who has cancer, reacts as she watches through her screen door window as the the Make a Wish parade for her passes by her home Saturday Dec. 17, 2022.

June was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 13 months old with her initial tumor metastasizing into bone and other organs. She spent much of her life receiving treatment for her condition, having gone through numerous rounds of chemotherapy.

She enjoyed going to the playground with her parents, kicking soccer balls and spending time with her friends. She was a "bright light" who got along well with everyone who met her.

"She makes a new friend everywhere she goes," Peden said. "She's very sassy and spunky, but she's the sweetest thing and everyone who meets her just loves her."

Family and friends watch as the Make a Wish parade passes by the family home, as well as June Peden-Stade from her screen door window Saturday Dec. 17, 2022.
Family and friends watch as the Make a Wish parade passes by the family home, as well as June Peden-Stade from her screen door window Saturday Dec. 17, 2022.

Her dying wish was to have a parade held in her honor, something that the city of Auburn, with the help of Make-a-Wish Illinois, was able to achieve Dec. 17. Hundreds of people, vehicles and organizations came to Auburn in order to brighten the dying girl's day.

More:Auburn community makes a wish come true for a 'sassy, spunky' 3-year-old battling cancer

In addition to the parade, the city also declared Dec. 17 as June Peden-Stade Day, stating in their proclamation that she "selflessly made a wish for a cause greater than herself and brought together an entire community and all of central Illinois."

The City of Taylorville also provided her with the key to their city Monday and proclaimed Dec. 19 as June Peden-Stade Day.

Tiffany Perkins, great aunt of June Peden-Stade, helps place some of the gifts given by members of the parade as they go by on the front lawn of June's home Saturday Dec. 17, 2022.
Tiffany Perkins, great aunt of June Peden-Stade, helps place some of the gifts given by members of the parade as they go by on the front lawn of June's home Saturday Dec. 17, 2022.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois girl dies from aggressive cancer at age 3