Despite her incredible strength, 16-year-old succumbed early Thursday morning to a rare bone cancer she grappled with over the last year.
According to the James Logan Courier, Zoe’s mother, Maria Inciong, said in a message distributed to Zoe’s supporters Thursday that, "In the most graceful and peaceful fashion, Zoe took her last breath at 12:05 a.m. this morning with Randy and me in the room with her."
“How fitting and timely that her last day on earth was 4th of July,” Maria’s announcement continued. “She had her own way of celebrating Independence Day as she told us the entire day that she wanted no more medicine. Zoe was, to her very last breath, the picture of grace and strength.
Zoe was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, last September.
"I thought I was gonna cry, but I didn't," at a blood drive held in her honor last November. "I kind of went to this state where I just accepted it. I just thought, 'Okay, this is what I have to deal with, let’s just get through it.'"
The popular Logan athlete who played on the girl’s water polo team quickly rallied the community for support with blood drives, awareness events and fundraisers held in her honor.
Her inspirational story touched the lives of many far and wide, including several online celebrities.
Singer AJ Rafael had recently dedicated a song to Zoe at a June 30 concert and, along with singer Tori Kelly, gave Zoe a surprise visit on her 16th birthday this past Sunday. On Thursday, Rafael honored the Union City teen with messages posted on social media websites.
“Rest in paradise Zoe. I'm so glad to have seen you at your happiest. We love you so much,” Rafael wrote on Twitter.
In the message announcing Zoe’s passing, her mother wrote that, “Through her, we saw a glimpse of heaven as she smiled to let us know that my dad and my brother were there to pick her up.”
In her message distributed Thursday, Maria thanked the many people who supported her daughter and her fight against cancer.
"We thank you for all your support and for being with us through this journey,” Maria wrote. “We will keep you posted on details about her services. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in her honor to your charity of choice. Or you may donate to her fund as we plan, per her request, to put it towards a charity or scholarship to keep her spirit alive."
See more remembrances from the web in the Storify widget above.
