In Death, Pasadena Teen is Honored

A Pasadena teen received a big honor for teaching people in her community how to make the best of life. A softball field at El Franco Lee Park in Pasadena was named after 17 year-old Gabby Romero. The honor came two weeks after her death.

A year and a half ago when she was diagnosed with late-stage kidney cancer, she geared up for a fight, but also started comforting her friends and family.

“She came out and told everyone not to cry for her. She didn’t want anyone to cry for her,” said Romero’s friend, Mary Le.

“She handled it better than I would have.”

“Seeing her go through it, I mean she was so positive. She just wanted to live life,” said another one of Romero’s friends, Nicole Andrade.

Months of chemotherapy changed Gabby's body, but not her spirit. Her parents say just before the end, 17 year-old Gabby decided to stop her treatment. Instead, she focused her fighting energy on enjoying her life. In her own way, she won because on Oct. 1, 2009, the Dobie High School principal hand-delivered Gabby’s diploma.

She died one day later.