Susan Petley’s heart raced as she walked across the stage on graduation night at St. Michael’s Adult Catholic High School in Windsor, Ont.
It was a moment she dreamt about for decades, but it was all wrong.
“There’s hurt and anger and love,” said Petley, describing the emotions that moved her to tears and a sweltering gymnasium into an emphatic ovation.
Petley was on hand to accept her daughter Bethany Anne Coupe’s high school diploma after she died of cancer in April.
“I am a very proud mom but it breaks my heart because she’s not here to see this,” she said, holding on tight to her daughter Cynthia, standing by her side.
Family receives diploma on behalf of student who died before graduation
They were the first of more than 200 people to walk across the stage at St. Michael’s Adult Catholic High School on Thursday night.
Petley said her daughter, 35, battled health issues for years which made it hard for her to complete her courses.
Bethany had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told she might not have much time left.
But she brought the books to the hospital bed, and with the help of St. Michael’s staff, kept up with her courses.
Her daughter’s dedication was something Petley struggled to understand at first.
“But the point for her was that she was proud. She wanted to graduate and she wanted to give me the best gift that she thought that she could ever give me,” she said.
“But I think over time, it became a personal thing for her and that she really wanted her grades.”
Petley said her daughter had plans to go to St. Clair College and continue her education toward a career helping children or animals.
Sitting in the front row watching as Petley and her daughter Cynthia walked across the stage were six siblings excited to accept their diplomas together.
“This is a big achievement,” said Rodas Tesfalem Arey, who moved with her family to Windsor from Sudan.
Her parents, originally from Eritrea, were able to watch them all accept their diplomas in a row.
“We’re all proud of ourselves and we are so happy,” she said after accepting her diploma.
Her siblings have plans to become mechanics, a personal support worker and pilot.
She plans to become a pharmacist technician and thanked the staff at St. Michael’s for motivating them toward their goals.
“They give us a hope to continue and they always tell us we have they push us to to achieve our goal,” she said.
That advice, echoed by Petley, who on a night full of emotions said her daughter’s determination should help people push toward their goals.
“No matter what you’re facing, if it’s something you truly want, you can accomplish it,” she said.
“And my daughter taught me that.”
