Hundreds of people showed up to remember Dundee High School student Bella Creque and to make a plea for kindness.
DUNDEE, Mich. — Two weeks after the tragic death of 15-year-old Bella Creque, a Dundee High School student who took her own life after being bullied, her family and the community came together to honor her memory with a candlelight vigil and a renewed commitment to combat bullying and support mental health.
Bella was described by her loved ones as a vibrant, caring, and talented teenager who was actively involved in her school’s band and sports, including softball, swimming and soccer. On March 30, her life was cut short however, leaving her family and the community grieving and determined to make a difference.
“She was beautiful. She just had such a big heart. She was happy,” said her mother, Deborah Creque. “She loved playing in band, the clarinet. She could play beautifully.”
The vigil, held Sunday evening, served not only as a time of mourning but also as a call to action. Family, friends, and classmates gathered to remember Bella and support one another, surrounded by candlelight and memories.
“We’re just grateful for all the support in the area, and we’ve met people that we don’t even know — the support is huge,” said Bella’s father, Brian Creque. “The community has come together, and we just will miss her every day. It’s a tragedy that we don’t want any other parents to ever witness.”
In the wake of Bella’s death, her family launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting mental health initiatives and creating scholarships in her name. As of Sunday, the original $3,000 goal has been surpassed, with more than $21,000 raised.
“I think it’s amazing. Something that should have been done sooner, honestly,” said Ally Hall, a senior at Dundee High School. “But we learned from trauma, and now it’s happening in the right way, and everyone’s remembering her for it.”
Bella’s classmates described her as a bright, kind presence who left a lasting impact on those around her.
“She was just a light and always brought a smile to everyone’s face,” said Rylynn Smith, a junior. “She was just an overall great human being.”
As the Creque family grieves, they continue to speak out against bullying and advocate for those struggling with their mental health.
They hope their loss will inspire change so that no other family has to endure the same pain.