ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia community will come together this weekend to honor the life of a 21-year-old senior who died after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor last month.
Liza Burke was on a spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in March when she got a sudden headache and became unresponsive. She was taken to a hospital in Mexico, where doctors found a brain hemorrhage.
Burke was later flown to a Florida hospital and diagnosed with an aggressive tumor on her brain stem. She died on April 28.
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On Friday, the university will honor Burke’s graduation by presenting her mother with her diploma and holding a moment of silence in Sanford Stadium.
On Saturday, friends and family will gather at Terrapin Brewery to share memories of her, according to UGA student newspaper The Red & Black.
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Leighton Clements, Burke’s boyfriend, told the Red & Black that they had discussed how she would want her life celebrated before she was ever diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“She told me one time…'when I go, I do not want a sad funeral, I want a party. Verbatim,” Clements told the paper. “And so that’s what we’re planning.”
The event, which will be from 2 - 5 p.m., will include live music and speeches from friends and family.
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A second celebration of life will be held in Burke’s hometown of Asheville.
Burke’s mother, Laura McKeiten, told People magazine that after the initial diagnosis, it appeared Burke was improving. She then had a second hemorrhage, which led to the decision to place her on hospice care. Burke died nine days later.
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