EASTHAMPTON — Community members are rallying to celebrate the life of Elise Ollmann-Kahle, a Williston Northampton School student and South Hadley resident who died earlier this month at the age of 17 of complications from cancer. Friends and family are holding to their memories of Ollmann-Kahle’s pure, joyful spirit and resilience in battling her illness as they don her favorite color, pink, and raise money to help her mother, who put much of her own life on hold to support her daughter. 

Two of Ollmann-Kahle’s close friends and fellow Williston Northampton students, Liam Barry and Vivian Walker, stood by their friend throughout much of her battle, and continue to do so. Walker organized a day at school during which the Williston Northampton community would sport their brightest shades of pink in Ollmann-Kahle’s honor, and Barry started an ongoing  GoFundMe campaign to raise money to support Ollmann-Kahle’s mother by alleviating some of the financial stress from what is already an incredibly difficult time for her. 

“She was one of the most positive people I’ve ever met,” said Walker, Ollmann-Kahle’s best friend. “I’ve been wearing a lot of pink over the past couple days in her honor. She was known for her great fashion, with lots of pink and bows.”

Walker has been heartened by the community support that has risen around her friend. When she organized a day for those at the Williston Northampton School to wear pink, she found the campus saturated with the color as everyone was “decked out in pink and bows.” When Barry presented Walker with the idea of the fundraiser, she wasn’t expecting it to take off as quickly as it did, but it “blew up,” receiving $20,000 in donations almost overnight. 

Walker attributes this support to Ollmann-Kahle’s kindness to everyone in the community, and reminisced about some of her favorite memories with her friend, from getting ready for prom together to taking her out for comfort food. 

“She was just the sweetest person on the whole planet,” said Walker. “I don’t think Elise is the type of person you come across often in your life.”

Barry, who started the fundraiser and went to middle school with Ollmann-Kahle during her first cancer diagnosis, said that she was truly grateful for each day, greeting every person and situation with impressive positivity. 

“Something she always made clear was how grateful she was for her friends and the school generally. Her friends meant the world to her,” said Barry. “She definitely left a kind impact on everyone she interacted with.”

Barry hopes that the fundraiser will offer Ollmann-Kahle’s mother some “breathing room” financially as she copes with the loss of her daughter. A single mother, she dedicated most of her time to helping her daughter through her illness. 

Lisa Mair, Ollmann-Kahle’s aunt, also expressed how impressive it was that her niece’s illness only inspired her to be more positive and grateful for each day. Ollmann-Kahle was first diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2020, which the family thought was treated successfully. Unfortunately, Mair said the cancer returned aggressively this summer. 

“She always felt like a second daughter to me,” Mair said. “She’s the sweetest kid to ever walk this planet, and I say that but I have two kids of my own. But I think they agree.”

Mair said her niece had a uniquely “bubbly enthusiasm,” and cared deeply for animals and the environment, especially her dog Lila. Ollmann-Kahle was also “incredibly artistic,” Mair said, and had a passion for high fashion. 

Jennifer Fulcher, director of the middle school at Williston Northampton, said that she will always remember Ollmann-Kahle’s sunny smile and warm positivity.

“You just couldn’t help but love Elise, she was such a bright light,” said Fulcher. “There is nothing that is not real and true about Elise.”

According to Fulcher, Ollmann-Kahle would give her handmade gifts for the holidays, as she wanted everything she did to have a “personal touch,” and she remained an “inspiration of strength and positivity” even when her illness was at its worst. 

A community service for Ollmann-Kahle is tentatively scheduled to take place on Nov. 2 at the Mount Holyoke College chapel, to be followed by a reception at the Willits Hallowell Conference Center and Hotel.

Mair said that the family would have their own intimate celebration of Ollmann-Kahle’s life, where they will spread her ashes at a memorial tree at Better Place Forests’ location in the Berkshires. 

“That’s where the rest of the family will go when our time comes,” said Mair. “She’s paving the way.”

Additionally, the fundraiser to support Ollmann-Kahle’s mother during this time is still accepting donations. At the time of writing, the fundraiser has 343 donations, totaling $29,500 out of its $40,000 goal. To donate, visit gofund.me/e90b3756. 

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.