A COMMUNITY is preparing to remember a popular teenager on the first anniversary of her death.
Music-loving Katie Wright, 16, died on October 4 last year after being taken ill on a bus travelling along Dean Road, Wrexham.
On Monday, scores of Katie’s friends are expected to attend a memorial mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Wrexham, at 7pm to celebrate Katie’s life.
Father Chris Howard, who is helping organise the service, said: “This will act as a celebration of Katie’s life, a chance to remember the happiness she gave people.
“But I am also sure there will be emotive moments for those attending.
“This is an occasion that has caused young people to face their own mortality.”
Father Howard praised the work done by Katie’s family and friends in supporting good causes following her death.
A Katie Wright Gift of Hope Heart Fund was established, helping raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
Her family released a CD of Katie singing her favourite songs, raising more than £2,000 for the fund.
“It has been very uplifting to see what Katie’s family and friends have done at a very difficult time,” added Father Howard.
“This has allowed them to focus on happy memories and celebrate the good things about Katie’s life.”
The service is due to be followed by an event at Central Station Nightclub in Katie’s memory.
More than 3,000 people joined an RIP Katie Wright group on the social networking website Facebook in the wake of her death 12 months ago.
After falling ill on the bus near her home on Borras Park, ambulance paramedics took Katie to Wrexham Maelor Hospital where she later died.
She had just begun studying at Yale College after previously attending St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School.
In a joint statement following her death, Katie’s parents Ian and Debra said: “Katie was a very special daughter and sister, loved by everyone, especially her family.
“She was beautiful, bright, loving and caring.”
Katie’s funeral was attended by about 400 mourners at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham.