Mom of 11 killed in Orlando massacre protecting son laid to rest
ORLANDO - The 49-year-old mother of 11 who died in Pulse nightclub protecting her son during the Orlando mass shooting was laid to rest on Monday.
Family and friends filled First United Methodist Church Monday afternoon to honor Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, who was in Pulse that fateful night simply because she loved going dancing with her son. The son survived, but McCool ended up one of the 49 victims of the Orlando massacre.
Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the service and talked about her bravery, reports CBS affiliate WKMG. Dyer declared June 20 as a citywide day of mourning to honor the memory of McCool, who also had survived two bouts of cancer.
"Our community continues to grieve and heal and we will be stronger because of people like Brenda. We'll never forget Brenda," said Dyer.
The Latin American Motorcycle Association gathered outside the funeral to protect it from protesters, reports WKMG. One of their relatives, who identified himself as a relative of McCool's named "Flaco," heaped praise on her and said she regularly helped out with the club.
"Brenda Marquez was a beautiful person. She always looked out for her kids and she lost her life protecting one of them," said Flaco.
After the funeral, the family released 49 balloons in honor of the victims.
Sister-in-law Ada Pressley said earlier that on the night of the shooting, the mom saw the gunman shoot down others, and then turn his weapon towards her and her son Isaiah Henderson.
"Brenda saw him point the gun. She said, 'Get down,' to Isaiah and she got in front of him," Pressley said. "She was shot dead. That's how much she loved her kids. If it weren't for her, he'd of been shot."
Friends of the family say McCool lived up to her name.
"She was so cool. She came out with us and her son to have a good time," Nick Perez told CBS affiliate WKMG. "This all feels so surreal. I can't believe it happened."
McCool's children has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses.