On Thursday, Aug. 18, Suzanne Michelina DiLernia, a bright, young and vibrant woman lost a valiant and courageous battle with cancer at the age of 24. Although the battle was lost she was graceful in defeat, dancing her way into heaven.

Suzanne left behind her family and friends to cherish and remember her beautiful smile, her gift of "gab" and her spirit and drive to take on the world.

A smart, dedicated and focused student, Suzanne was working toward her law degree and dreamed of the day that she could tell the world how she won her biggest case against the villainous cancer.

Suzanne cherished her family, her friends and the opportunities she had been given in her all too short but meaningful life.

She is the beloved daughter of Frank and Dorothy (Muraca) DiLernia and granddaughter of Michelina (Naples) Muraca, all of Plainville. Suzanne just completed her second year at The New York Law School. She graduated from Plainville High School, attended Salve Regina College in Newport, R.I., and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2009 with bachelor's degrees in history and political science. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in New Britain.

Besides her mother, father and grandmother she is survived by one sister, Nicole DiLernia of Plainville, and her three dogs, Petie, Dale and Belkie. Suzanne is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins, and many great and loyal friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 195 S. Main St., New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kenney-Luddy Funeral Home, 205 S. Main St., New Britain, Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m.

A day won't go by that we won't miss Suzanne, but we will smile as we remember how she made us laugh … how she tirelessly shared with us the events of her days … how she stated and argued her strong opinions … how she planned for the future and how she lived every day that she had with us. The heavens have been graced with a new angel.