Girl Whose Parents Worked For Medical Marijuana Has Died
MONTEVIDEO, Minn. (AP/WCCO) — A girl whose parents worked to pass legislation legalizing medical marijuana in Minnesota has died at age 8.
Katelyn Pauling had epilepsy and a nervous system disorder. Katelyn and her parents, Jeremy and Kristy Pauling, were often present at the state Capitol during the push to legalize medical marijuana. The first medical cannabis distribution center opens in Minneapolis July 1.
"I want [people] to know that she fought everyday, pretty much since she was three years old, to beat the rare disease called Batten," her father said. "She was a fighter and didn't like to give up. She's going to be greatly missed by her mom, and her sisters and me."
Jeremy Pauling said he was glad his daughter could help in the effort to legalize medical marijuana.
"Her purpose was to help other kids and families [and] she fulfilled that," he said. "She did a lot more than some 30-year-old people have done in their entire lives."
The Wing-Bain Funeral Home in Montevideo says a service for Katelyn will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Visitation is Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and just before the service.
An obituary says Katelyn died Friday at her home surrounded by her family.
"We're hanging together as a family," Jeremy Pauling said. "I recieved some nice messages from [Rep.] Carly Melin and Sen. [Scott] Dibble. That was really nice. And we have a lot of friends that we met when we were down at the capitol this year that have reached out and said prayers."
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
