Family and friends gathered at Columbia Falls High School on Sunday to celebrate the life of Taylor Peterson, “a very special little lady.”

The assembly was a bittersweet mix of laughs and held-back tears.

Laughter broke out in the school’s gymnasium as the assembly watched a short video of a boisterous Taylor riding around on a sheep and playing with her friend, Catie King, on a swing set.

And some fought tears as they fondly remembered a courageous 17-year-old whose smile could light up any room.

Taylor succumbed to cancer a week ago today after a long and inspiring fight that galvanized the community in an extraordinary way.

Teachers and coaches at Columbia Falls High School remembered Taylor as a “dream” honor student and athlete.

Physical education teacher Wes Knutson said Taylor’s work ethic and passion were second to none.

When the teen returned home from weeks of chemotherapy treatment, she approached Knutson and said she wanted to get back in shape to play in the school’s senior night volleyball game.

Knutson recalled how Taylor put on some weight and built up her strength enough to play in the game a month later, when she gave some advice: “No matter how hard life gets, always stay positive and keep focused on the bright side and push through. Never give up!”

“She had a passion,” Knutson said of Taylor and her attitude. “She rallied everybody and I hope that passion carries on in her teammates.”

Catie King recalled her best-friend-since-eighth-grade’s sense of humor, caring personality and obnoxious but contagious laugh.

“I love and miss Taylor a lot and will never forget her crazy laugh,” King said.

King’s brother, Colin, said he’s amazed at the number of people Taylor impacted in just 17 years. He read a few brief journal entries that Taylor had written for her English class at Columbia Falls High School.

In one, Taylor reflected on all she had been through and how she had become her own role model.

“I sort of just learned all you need to do is trust yourself,” she wrote.

But Colin said Taylor has become a role model for so many others.

“It’s a miracle how many lives she’s touched, how this community has come together. It’s amazing all the support she had,” he said. “She was definitely a role model. Not just for herself, but for everyone in the whole Flathead Valley.”

Charlene King said the community’s support for Taylor has been unbelievable. She added that a scholarship fund in Taylor’s name will be set up through the school so her name will live on.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.