Lilyana Rose Aparicio, 8, passed away surrounded by loved ones March 6, 2026. A memorial service celebrating all things Lily will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand. All are welcome.Lily lived a short but profoundly impactful life. She had a gigantic personality and an unmistakable presence that naturally drew people to her. Although the attention was not something she initially sought, she courageously embraced it as a spokesperson in the fight against childhood cancer, helping raise awareness and funds with grace far beyond her years.Lily was an excellent swimmer, and had a deep love for painting and artwork. She enjoyed dancing, playing Roblox, watching scary movies and, most of all, scaring other people, which she considered one of her greatest joys. Her playful spirit, humor and fearless energy left lasting impressions on everyone she met.Lily was featured in a Wolfson Children's Hospital commercial that aired during a Jacksonville Jaguars football game and, to the family's understanding, was also shown on television during the Super Bowl. She was also featured on the front of newsletters for the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and Ronald McDonald House Charities in Jacksonville.Lily appeared on television in a news feature highlighting a motorcycle fundraiser organized by veterans, further demonstrating the wide reach of her story and the inspiration she provided to others.Lily wanted to be remembered. When she had little to give, she still found ways to leave her mark, often gifting nurses something as small as an alcohol wipe, telling them to "remember me by." These moments captured her spirit perfectly: thoughtful, funny and full of heart.Lily was known for being sassy and fun, a best sister to her brother, Branton, and her sisters, Evie, Islay and Ellie, and she was a cherished friend to the many children she met at the hospital and at the Ronald McDonald House.Lily's courage, kindness and joy will continue to live on through every life she touched.Lily was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Faye S. Gould; grandmother Maria Aparicio; great-uncle Vincent Gould IV; and great-aunt Diane Cruttenden. She is survived by her father and mother, George Aparicio and Christine M. Aparicio; brother Branton Strickland and his fiancée Ava D'Aquino and their children Blakelynn and Easton; sisters Evie, Islay and Ellie; her grandparents, Antonio Aparicio, and Allen and Karen G. Murin; her great-grandfather, Vincent W. Gould III; uncles and aunts Victor and Cindy Aparicio and their children, Alexander J. and Victoria; Richard and Kellie Aparicio and Erica Murin; great-uncles and -aunts Craig Cruttenden and children Gary and Sharon, Stephen and Nancy Gould and their son Jeffrey; Lauren G. Lind (Jared) and their children Cirdan, Beorn and Nienna; Sarah G. Steimann (Kyle) and their children, Julian, Roland and Leon; Emily Gould; and Gail G. Nearing (David) and their children, Scott Nearing (Annabelle) and Abigail N. Skoglind (Brian).In memory of Lilyana Rose Aparicio, please consider making a donation to one of the following charities: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville or Fourth and Gold Inc. Lankford is in charge