Windsor, Ont. — The crowd at St. Michael’s Adult Catholic High School fell silent as Susan Petley stepped onto the stage, clutching her daughter’s photo in one hand and her other daughter Cynthia’s hand in the other.
It was supposed to be her daughter Bethany Anne Coupe’s moment — a long-awaited celebration of perseverance after years of health struggles. But Bethany wasn’t there to see it. She died of cancer in April, just months before graduation.
“I am a very proud mom,” Petley said, her voice trembling. “But it breaks my heart because she’s not here to see this.”
Her emotional walk across the stage drew a standing ovation from more than 200 graduates and guests packed into the sweltering gymnasium.
A daughter’s final goal
Bethany, 35, had battled chronic illness for years before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite her declining health, she was determined to complete her high school diploma.
“She wanted to graduate — she said it would be the best gift she could ever give me,” Petley recalled. “At first I didn’t understand why she was so determined. But I realized it became something deeply personal for her.”
Even from her hospital bed, Bethany kept studying. With support from teachers at St. Michael’s, she submitted assignments and stayed connected to her classmates.
Her dream, her mother said, was to attend St. Clair College to pursue a career helping children or animals — work that reflected her kindness and empathy.
A family of six siblings celebrates together
Sitting in the front row that same night were six smiling siblings — all graduating together after years of effort since arriving in Canada.
“This is a big achievement,” said Rodas Tesfalem Arey, who moved with her family to Windsor from Sudan.
Her parents, originally from Eritrea, watched proudly as their six children crossed the stage one by one. “We’re all proud of ourselves and we are so happy,” Rodas said.
The siblings’ ambitions are as diverse as their journeys — one hopes to become a mechanic, another a personal support worker, and another a pilot. Rodas herself plans to become a pharmacy technician, inspired by the encouragement she received from St. Michael’s teachers.
“They always give us hope and push us to achieve our goals,” she said, beaming.
A night of resilience and inspiration
Principal and staff members described the evening as one filled with “joy, tears, and extraordinary courage.”
For Petley, the celebration was both heartbreaking and healing — a reminder that her daughter’s determination left a lasting lesson.
“No matter what you’re facing, if it’s something you truly want, you can accomplish it,” she said. “My daughter taught me that.”
As applause echoed through the hall, her words captured the spirit of the evening — a testament to perseverance, family, and the quiet power of dreams fulfilled, even in absence.
