APOPKA, Fla. – Family, friends and fellow soldiers gathered Saturday in Apopka to celebrate the life of Army Specialist Mariyah Collington, a 19-year-old soldier who died while serving in Morocco.
The memorial service brought together loved ones, military members and community leaders to remember Collington’s life, service and impact on those around her.
Friends described Collington as someone whose energy filled every room.
“The girl who danced like no one was watching,” one friend said during the service. “The girl whose energy was impossible to ignore and made every moment better.”
Throughout the ceremony, speakers reflected on Collington’s character, both as a soldier and as a young woman dedicated to serving others.
Many speakers told mourners that Collington’s life should serve as an example to others.
“As we reflect on her life, we may find comfort in our shared memories and strengths and the example she left behind,” a speaker of the service said. “Specialist Mariyah Collington exemplified what it means to be a strong, respectable soldier.”
Those who served alongside Collington also spoke about the loss felt throughout their unit.
“It is a heavy heart and saddens me that I will not get to see the career that I had in front of her,” a soldier in her platoon said.
Military honors, including a gun salute, marked the end of the service as family members prepared for a final farewell.
One soldier described Collington as “a remarkable soldier, a cherished friend and beloved daughter” and “a very valuable member” of the battalion family.
Collington died while serving in Morocco. She was 19 years old.
Her burial is scheduled for Monday, June 15, at 11:30 a.m., where family and friends will gather once again to honor her life and legacy.