La Plata, MD – Madison Grace Major, 10, of La Plata, died Oct. 20 at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC, surrounded by her family.

Everyone’s “warrior princess” lost her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, after being diagnosed in 2008.

Madison’s friends and family kept hope alive through her Facebook and web page, praying for a cure and recording her progress through journal entries and posts.

Born March 31, 2005, Madison was the cherished daughter of Timothy Lee and Robyn Marie Sanford Major of La Plata.

Her obituary posted on Brinsfield Funeral Home’s web page described a fun-loving little girl who faced her disease with courage.

“Maddie loved everything about life!,” her obituary stated. “She was determined, willful, and brave. Maddie enjoyed school, and attended the fourth grade at Grace Lutheran School, where she was an avid reader. Maddie adored her dog Bella, and loved arts and crafts, knitting, soccer, the beach, and shopping – especially at Target. She loved playing with her nieces, Morgan and Reagan, and her best friend, M.J.

“Maddie’s sense of humor made everyone laugh,” the narrative read. “She had the ability to smile through everything that she was forced to endure. Although she was a tiny girl, she made a huge difference in the lives of countless others. Maddie brought people together—her family, the community, and the world. When we think of love, we think of Maddie.

“As Maddie said, ‘Love. My only answer is love,’ ” the narrative stated.

Friends and family have kept up through painful journal entries chronicling the life of this remarkable child.

An entry posted Aug. 14, 2012, illustrated the roller coaster of emotions Madison and her family suffered following her remissions.

“We were devastated once again to find ‘the beast had returned,’ this time way more complicated than before,” the entry read.

After doing the trial study at NIH, Maddie was accepted at CHOP for a T-cell Treatment. After that treatment she was pronounced as in remission and cancer free, but by Sept. 30, she had relapsed yet again.

In addition to her parents, Maddie is also survived by her sisters, Candace Major of Waldorf, Kelli Welch (Michael) of Hughesville, Allie Major of Waldorf and Kelsey Major of Waldorf; brother, John Major of La Plata; nieces, Morgan and Reagan Welch; aunts and uncles, Karen Downs, Lisa Qualters (Kevin), Laura Sanford, John Major (Patricia), David Sanford, and Tom Major; godmother, Laura Lee Via; best friend, Michael John “MJ” Rabasco; Laura “YaYa” Major; and many extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Ellen “Mommaw” Boyd.

Maddie’s Life Celebration was held Monday, Oct. 26 at Grace Lutheran Church, La Plata.

A Celebration of Maddie’s Life, officiated by Pastor Charles Long, will take place Tuesday, Oct. 27 at noon, again at Grace Lutheran Church.

Interment will be private.

Serving as pallbearers are John Major, Kelsey Major, Aaron Ruffo, Michael Welch, Jimmy Bunnell and Adam Knight.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Maddie Grace Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Grace Lutheran Church, 1200 Charles Street, La Plata, MD 20622.

Condolences may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com