Community mourns Harlee Salmi

An angel has earned her wings. At the age of 6, Harlee Joanne Salmi of Hot Springs passed away on Wednesday, May 6, after battling cancer. "At 12:20 p.m. today Harlee flew off to heaven! She fought until the end but was surrounding by her family and deeply loved," Harlee's mother Taylor wrote on the Facebook page Hope for Harlee. "Our hearts are shattered but we know she is running and playing again!"

Harlee was born on May 2, 2014, to Matt and Taylor Salmi. At the age of 5, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Given only six to nine months to live, the Salmi family's lives were changed forever.

Harlee passed away one year and two days after her diagnosis, surpassing the nine-month prognosis and letting the world know she was a fighter along the way.

The Salmi family saw an outpouring of love from the community. As word of Harlee's diagnosis reached Sanders County and beyond, people rallied together to show support for the family in their time of need. The vivacious energy Harlee emitted inspired a movement as the town of Hot Springs began "Hope for Harlee."

On April 20, as the family made the decision to stop chemo, the town of Hot Springs came together one more time to throw Harlee a town-wide celebration for her sixth birthday. A birthday parade, which was organized by the community, took over the entire town of Hot Springs. Cars and first responder vehicles lined up with balloons and signs to wish Harlee a happy birthday.

As Harlee's mother announced her passing on Facebook, people from all around lit candles in honor of Harlee, sending love her way.

If you would like to make a gift in Harlee's name, the family asks that you donate to the Hope for Harlee Foundation to establish a legacy scholarship in her name.

Donations can be sent to Valley Bank, Attn: Hope for Harlee, P.O. Box 387, Hot Springs, MT 59845; or directly to any Valley Bank branch specifying funds should go to Hope for Harlee Foundation.

A celebration of Harlee's life will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m. in Hot Springs at 126 Old Hot Springs Road, in a large field off of Montana Highway 77. The family said there will be plenty of room to spread out and social distance and there will also be a way to listen to the service via car radios.