The family said they were inspired by how the community rallied around her following the incident."It is our fervent hope that an even larger community will be inspired now by the way she lived her life," the family continued. "She dedicated her life and her work to the ideal that we were put on this earth to care for those who need an extra measure of care. She believed in justice, opportunity and fairness for all. She loved politics and she saw the Democratic Party as the path to realize her ideals."
"She had a gift for bringing us together - black and white, young and old, gay and straight. She challenged us to work together for a better world," her family said. "Her light will shine on in all of us who knew and loved her."