Just days after getting her "bucket list" wish to celebrate prom, 14-year-old Katelyn Norman died peacefully in her hospital bed after a long battle with bone cancer.
The teenager, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2011, passed away in the same hospital where she had donned a corsage and sash on Tuesday night for an impromptu prom celebration, put on by her friends and the staff at East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville.
"Sweet Kate went to be with the Lord at 8:23am," read an update posted Friday to a fundraising page for Norman. "She is now dancing with Jesus! Rest in Peace Katelyn!"
Teen with cancer gets 'bucket list' prom in hospital bed
Norman touched the hearts of thousands this week as her quest to fulfill her last wishes went viral. Though she had initially planned to attend the dance in her honor at her high school, she had to be rushed to the hospital, so the prom made its way to her.
The fundraising site was created in 2012 to help Norman cross items off of her bucket list after her diagnosis, including a trip to Italy and the chance to ride a motorcycle. As she grew sicker, her number one wish became to attend prom.
The page had been used by Norman's mother Erica to keep friends, family and supporters updated on her daughter's condition in recent days. On Thursday, Erica informed followers that the doctors would not be performing surgery on Katelyn because her situation was "progressing too fast" and it would not have helped. "The goal at this time is to keep Katelyn as comfortable as possible," she wrote.
Supporters also followed Norman's journey on a Facebook page set up by a good friend, Brandon Huckaby, who planned the prom celebration as well as a massive candlelight vigil in her honor.
On Friday Huckaby took to Facebook to mourn his friend, but made it clear her spirit lives on.
"The fight isn't over," he wrote. "Kate will continue to inspire people around the world."