The city council finally voted to approve the park naming in honor of Lily. It has been a long road and my heart is heavy with both relief and the memory of the person we fought to recognize. We will keep watch to ensure the dedication process moves forward as …
July 13, 2021
Final supporters
Petition to Honor the Legacy of Lily Cantú
October 23, 1990 - November 4, 2010
We, the Denton Community, support the naming of a park, park trail, or playground in an existing park, in honor of Librada “Lily” Rose Cantú. This letter is signed by those who wish to see her legacy of loving service to young children perpetuated within the Denton community.
Why Librada (Lily) Rose Cantú should be considered for the name of a city park, trail, or playground:
Denton High School Counselor, Ms. Doretha Hudspeth, shared in a very concise and succinct way Lily’s most passionate and profound signature trait: “…she just enjoyed helping other people.” (DRC, A Life of Service Ended too Soon, November 8, 2010)
Shortly before her tragic accident in Peru, Lily wrote an email to her mom (Barbara) and her dad (John). In it, she expresses how much she misses and loves her parents, “especially during the upcoming holiday…But, I still love it here.” Her commitment to serving the children in Chaclacayo, who many might consider the least among us, did not waver, even as she was far away and homesick.
It is clear Lily was preparing for a life of service and there is no explanation as to why that life was cut short. The DRC says it best: “There is no meaningful solace and peace to those who miss her so today.”
It is up to us, the living, to perpetuate the memory of God’s gift to us all of this beautiful and compassionate human being. A park such as the one dedicated to our friend, Dr. G. Roland Vela, would be a fitting memorial to Lily Cantú. It would serve as an inspiration to the young and not-so-young, present and future generations of our Denton community. Lily left her earthly home with an incredible legacy of commitment and dedication to her Christian values and the sanctity of human life. Naming a park, trail, or playground after Lily Cantú would be a meaningful way to remind us all to continue the good work that Lily began.
Without any intent to add strength to this nomination, Mariana Cantú, at the memorial remembering her sister, expressed her gratitude to friends and family thusly:
“Lily didn’t realize what a great impact she was making. My sister merely sought to walk into the world and do the right thing over and over again. This is what she did with her life. This is what she would want you to do with yours.”
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 28, 2021
June 27, 2021
Reaching one hundred signatures feels heavy because it reminds me how many people still carry the weight of losing Lily. This process is exhausting but seeing your names attached to her memory gives me a reason to push forward through the red tape.
Reached 100 supporters
June 25, 2021
89 Comments
My first year in education was at Rivera Elementary as a P.E. teacher and I remember exactly that about Lily. That she was a kind and generous spirit that went above and beyond so naturally and effortlessly.
Lily’s parents also have a heart of service. I taught with her mother Barbara and she has loved hundreds upon hundreds of Denton students. This would be a lovely way to give back.
Lily loved Denton and spending time enjoying all of its parks. She loved working with children, as was obvious by her last mission on earth. This would be the most beautiful way to honor the legacy of this wonderful Dentonite.
Lily was an amazing young lady who loved serving others any way she possibly could. She served her community, ICC and the children of Peru with so much love and laughter. She is a great inspiration to us all and naming a park in her honor would be wonderful.
Lily lived an example to all of us of serving the poorest of the poor. She went far away from home with nothing and yet she courageously embraced a life of service to young abandoned children. She demonstrated a love that makes the people of Denton proud. Some people in Peru know about Denton TX from having known Lily. Denton needs to remember Lily!
Lily and my daughter Abigail Fuhrmann were good friends. Lilly rode all the way to Denver Colorado when Abby entered college. She was a good support system for my daughter Abby.
Lily was loved and respected by many teens in the Denton.
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The city council finally voted to approve the park naming in honor of Lily. It has been a long road and my heart is heavy with both relief and the memory of the person we fought to recognize. We will keep watch to ensure the dedication process moves forward as …
July 13, 2021
Final supporters
Petition to Honor the Legacy of Lily Cantú
October 23, 1990 - November 4, 2010
We, the Denton Community, support the naming of a park, park trail, or playground in an existing park, in honor of Librada “Lily” Rose Cantú. This letter is signed by those who wish to see her legacy of loving service to young children perpetuated within the Denton community.
Why Librada (Lily) Rose Cantú should be considered for the name of a city park, trail, or playground:
Denton High School Counselor, Ms. Doretha Hudspeth, shared in a very concise and succinct way Lily’s most passionate and profound signature trait: “…she just enjoyed helping other people.” (DRC, A Life of Service Ended too Soon, November 8, 2010)
Shortly before her tragic accident in Peru, Lily wrote an email to her mom (Barbara) and her dad (John). In it, she expresses how much she misses and loves her parents, “especially during the upcoming holiday…But, I still love it here.” Her commitment to serving the children in Chaclacayo, who many might consider the least among us, did not waver, even as she was far away and homesick.
It is clear Lily was preparing for a life of service and there is no explanation as to why that life was cut short. The DRC says it best: “There is no meaningful solace and peace to those who miss her so today.”
It is up to us, the living, to perpetuate the memory of God’s gift to us all of this beautiful and compassionate human being. A park such as the one dedicated to our friend, Dr. G. Roland Vela, would be a fitting memorial to Lily Cantú. It would serve as an inspiration to the young and not-so-young, present and future generations of our Denton community. Lily left her earthly home with an incredible legacy of commitment and dedication to her Christian values and the sanctity of human life. Naming a park, trail, or playground after Lily Cantú would be a meaningful way to remind us all to continue the good work that Lily began.
Without any intent to add strength to this nomination, Mariana Cantú, at the memorial remembering her sister, expressed her gratitude to friends and family thusly:
“Lily didn’t realize what a great impact she was making. My sister merely sought to walk into the world and do the right thing over and over again. This is what she did with her life. This is what she would want you to do with yours.”
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 28, 2021
June 27, 2021
Reaching one hundred signatures feels heavy because it reminds me how many people still carry the weight of losing Lily. This process is exhausting but seeing your names attached to her memory gives me a reason to push forward through the red tape.
Reached 100 supporters
June 25, 2021
89 Comments
I knew Lily as a volunteer and a fellow parishioner. Her memory should be honored with a park that serves our community as she did truly love to serve.
My first year in education was at Rivera Elementary as a P.E. teacher and I remember exactly that about Lily. That she was a kind and generous spirit that went above and beyond so naturally and effortlessly.
Lily’s parents also have a heart of service. I taught with her mother Barbara and she has loved hundreds upon hundreds of Denton students. This would be a lovely way to give back.
Lily loved Denton and spending time enjoying all of its parks. She loved working with children, as was obvious by her last mission on earth. This would be the most beautiful way to honor the legacy of this wonderful Dentonite.
Lily was an amazing young lady who loved serving others any way she possibly could. She served her community, ICC and the children of Peru with so much love and laughter. She is a great inspiration to us all and naming a park in her honor would be wonderful.
Lily lived an example to all of us of serving the poorest of the poor. She went far away from home with nothing and yet she courageously embraced a life of service to young abandoned children. She demonstrated a love that makes the people of Denton proud. Some people in Peru know about Denton TX from having known Lily. Denton needs to remember Lily!
Lily and my daughter Abigail Fuhrmann were good friends. Lilly rode all the way to Denver Colorado when Abby entered college. She was a good support system for my daughter Abby.
Lily was loved and respected by many teens in the Denton.
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I knew Lily as a volunteer and a fellow parishioner. Her memory should be honored with a park that serves our community as she did truly love to serve.