Prayer garden dedicated to Mount Prospect student

Teachers, students and family gathered under rainy skies Tuesday at St. Emily Elementary School in Mount Prospect to dedicate a memorial prayer garden to Molly Kohl, a 10-year-old student who died of leukemia over the summer.

Molly was heading into the sixth grade at St. Emily when she died July 25, nearly 18 months after being diagnosed.

The garden, centered around a large tree that blooms in the spring, was blessed by the parish pastor, who said he hoped it would be a place of peace, consolation and remembrance.

“Molly had a sparkle in her eye and smile on her face in good times and bad,” said her father, Pat Kohl. “We are so touched and humbled. She touched so many lives in such a short time.”

Trees and light posts around the school and church area were adorned with yellow ribbons, Molly’s favorite color and one her father said was a reminder of his daughter’s sunny spirit. Many students and teachers also wore yellow to remember Molly.

The Kohl family said they soon will be placing photos and plaques around the memorial.

The dedication marked the second time this week a large crowd gathered to remember and honor the 10-year-old girl. More than 300 supporters took part Sunday in the Light the Night walk for leukemia and lymphoma in Glenview.

Pat Kohl said the family participated in the walk last year, hoping that by the time this year’s event came around Molly would be in recovery and leading their team in the walk.

Molly’s mother, Kathy, said she will be coming to the prayer garden often, and is thankful to the school and church community for their support both while Molly was sick and in recent months.

“It’s a really close-knit school,” she said. “These guys have been with us the whole time.”

She also encouraged people to sign up to be bone marrow donors. Molly was not able to find a match for a transplant.

“It’s a tragedy to lose a student any time, but this was really hard,” Principal Mary Hemmelman said. “She was a part of our family here.”