Syracuse, N.Y. — Maddie Rioux died the way she encouraged everyone else to live.
She was tenacious in fighting the brain cancer that would eventually get the best of her, refusing to take her foot off the gas pedal of life and shelve activities that made her happy. She had empathy for friends and family who were preparing to mourn her, urging them to not let her illness dampen their daily joys. She took fierce control of her own destiny, seemingly stalling death until she could pass away amid the peace of her own home.