Ben Linnabary fulfilled his mother's dying wish by graduating from high school in a ceremony at her Ohio hospital bedside, as shown in a touching YouTube video uploaded on Feb. 3. (Watch above.)
Jennifer Linnabary passed away the day after the ceremony, Cincinnati.com reported. She was 52.
The mother had battled a blood cancer called mantle cell lymphoma for four years, and as her condition worsened, family members and the local school district quickly arranged a special ceremony for Feb. 2 at University of Cincinnati Hospital, ABC News wrote.
Linnabary's daughter, Becca Asimus, told the network that watching Ben graduate was their mother's final wish after she survived long enough to see Becca get married last summer.
Barking Squirrel Media shot the segment from the perspective of the mother, as 18-year-old senior Ben received his diploma from Colerain Township's Colerain High School. (He will march with his classmates and receive another diploma in June.) Asimus told ABC that, although her mom was unable to open her eyes, Jennifer Linnabary could still experience the moment.
As the rapidly circulating footage shows, Ben threw his cap into the air and tearfully told Jennifer, "I graduated, mom."
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