Urbandale's Grace Chance Dies Thursday, Says Family Friend

Fourteen-year-old Grace Chance of Urbandale died Thursday from an inoperable brain tumor, according to a family friend.

"Rest in Peace Grace. We will miss you," friend Cate Newberg wrote on the social media site Facebook Thursday afternoon.

An estimated 600 people turned out at the Chance home on Sunday for a candlelight prayer service after word spread that Grace was too weak for further medical treatments.

In recent days the 14-year-old eighth-grader was mostly sedated to control her pain. Her mother and father, Shelly and Jay Chance, and younger sister, Sarah, and some close friends, were by her side.

"It was an all-out community effort to show that love and support. It was really, really special."

A WHOtv.com video didn't capture the magnitude of the crowd or the emotion.

Dan Meyer, Grace's middle-school principal, described Sunday's scene as people "shoulder-to-shoulder, and up and down the street. It was an inspirational moment."

Grace's softball coach, Jennifer Mockus, last week organized the gathering. "I just emailed everyone I knew. I didn't expect it to be that big."

On Jan. 9, Grace's mom, Shelly, posted a message of thanks on the Caring Bridge website. It reads in part:

After the candelight prayer at my home last night, I was astounded to see all of the people that Grace has touched in her life. The turnout was amazing and I could see and feel the love that everyone has for Grace.

Looking through all of the guestbook comments the past few days and seeing Face Book "BLOW UP" with comments about Grace makes my heart warm. I know every parent thinks their daughter or son is special.... But honestly, after seeing how many people are commenting about Grace and how in some way she has touched their lives shows me that she TRULY is SPECIAL. She is a gift from God.  She is here on this earth to show all of us what true love for everyone is and how to live life. Fight for what you believe in - That's what Grace would do!!! Choose the right path - Make others feel the love that you have in your heart every day. ... She doesn't care about race, age, size, gender - she loves everyone.  he has the biggest heart I have ever seen. She is our gift to all of you - the gift of Grace, of God and Love.

It breaks my heart to see all of the kids from the school that are so sad. This is a sad time, I really do understand. But remember - What would Grace want you to do or feel? She would want you to remember the good times you had with her. Laughing about something silly at the mall, or the movies, or the skating rink.  Remember how she would take your hand and guide you through a rough time in your life and make you smile. Remember... She doesn't want you to be sad. She wants you to be happy and love each other - ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grace is at home with us and she is comfortable. Her pain is being managed and she is resting.  We continue to pray every day for her comfort. We pray every minute for a miracle.

Thank you, again, for all of your love and support through this. We would not have been able to be so strong without all of you.

Love to you all!!!!!!!!!!

Shelly