The skies above Leeds lit up in memory of a tragic mum of seven who was the light of her family’s lives.
Emma Lazar, from Bramley, died from a brain tumour aged just 34 last year.
And on Monday, on the first anniversary of her passing, a mass sky lantern launch was held in her memory.
Friends and family of the devoted mum and wife released around 40 Chinese lanterns on Stanningley Park as part of the ‘Light Up The Sky for Emma’ event.
Other bereaved families were also invited to remember their lost loved ones in a similar way.
Joanne Durrans, who is married to Emma’s cousin and went to school with her, organised the lantern launch to remember her pal, and to raise money for Cancer Research UK in her name.
“It was a nice evening, and everyone came with smiles on their faces to remember Emma,” Miss Durrans said.
“It was a sad day too for the family and the youngest children came and hugged me as soon as they saw me.”
Emma was diagnosed with a rare cancer in November 2011, and was told just two months later that it was terminal.
Last November, her husband Andy and her seven children, who are aged from six to 17, opened a new peace garden in her memory coinciding with what would have been her 35th birthday. The youngsters put their handprints into cement and added personal messages.
Miss Durrans said: “Emma was a fantastic mum. That was the purpose of her life. She wasn’t just their mum, she was their best friend as well. She was one of those people who would do anything for anybody.”
Emma’s children Cherise, 17, Shaunna, 16, Leighton, 12, Bobbie, 10, A.J., eight, Kelden, seven and Kailun, six, all lit up and released lanterns for their mum.