Local community celebrates the life of Brooke Mulford

Hand in hand, people surrounding the fountain at Salisbury's park. Prayers, songs, and tears would come next.

A fitting tribute for a life lost way too soon. Although only 12, Brooke Mulford has touched so many lives.

"She had a higher purpose, she was put on this earth to direct us and lead us all together and for bigger things and she's accomplished it," exclaims a family friend, Tonia McCutcheon.

In 2009, at just four-years old, Brooke was diagnosed with stage four high risk neuroblastoma, a very aggressive pediatric cancer.

Throughout her tumultuous journey, filled with many ups and downs, she always stayed positive even in her last months on this earth.

Brooke posting a Facebook video a few months ago saying, "I just want to say thank you for all the prayers and support these past few days. And everything, it's just been amazing. It brings so much joy to my heart. I hope you all have a great night and I wish good health to everyone that needs it. Bye."

It is was that joy, that infectious love for life Brooke embodied that brought this community together time and time again to support her like they did Monday night.

Many among those gathered call Brooke an inspiration to all.

Brooke's dad, Rob Mulford tells us, "At times it was like she really wasn't my daughter. She was put on this earth to inspire and touch other people."

"It's amazing to see and have faith in humanity in how many people have rallied together here tonight. Through all of this, through the years, through the past eight, nine years the community has supported her. She clearly has impacted the lives of so many people," says McCutcheon.

And even though she was only 12-years-old, she has taught so many an ample amount of life lessons.

"To see someone so tiny and so strong to fight such a huge battle and she never gave up. I gained so much strength. She taught us the power of prayer, she taught us the power of love, how important family is, how important friends are."

A life lost too soon, but a life who's legacy will live in the hearts of many forever.

"I'd like to think as people have problems or life gets really hard, they'll go back and go 'oh well Brooke did this' and if that can help them, then her spirit will live on," says Brooke's dad, Rob.