To her parents, she was Princess Snowflake.

On Sunday, more than five weeks after Amanda Todd committed suicide after years of being bullied, her family and the community came out to celebrate her life and her upcoming birthday.

Hundreds of people from across Metro Vancouver turned out to the Red Robinson Show Theatre for the memorial of the Port Coquitlam teen.

The two-hour ceremony included musical performances, a slide show and several touching tributes from Amanda's friends, teachers, coaches and parents.

Carol Todd, with a box of tissues by her side, talked about the daughter she loved.

She said Amanda's death has taught her so much about life and beauty.

"And now with her passing she continues to teach me and the rest of the world so much more about the importance of human kindness and compassion," she said, wiping away tears. Carol added even though Amanda is gone, she left a larger-than-life message that has sparked the world, referring to the issues raised about bullying.

She also touched on her nickname Princess Snowflake, which she adopted in the last year. Amanda's mom said it was a fitting name, noting a snowflake is a slang term used to describe a unique girl who can't be duplicated.

Her dad Norm recalled stories of his daughter, including a more humorous time during a family vacation in Ohio, where the young girl wanted to go on the scariest ride at a water park.

He reluctantly agreed, adding, "I wouldn't do this for anyone but you."

"Amanda was like a child with an on and off switch, so it was either all or nothing," Norm told the crowd.

"Life was always an adventure with Amanda."

He went on to add he lost a big part of his heart that will never mend.

Todd, who was a Grade 10 student at Coquitlam Alternate Basic Education (CABE) Secondary in Coquitlam, committed suicide on Oct. 10, a month after posting a YouTube video about her experiences battling bullies over an incident that occurred a few years ago.

Her story caught the world's attention, bringing a renewed focus to the issue of bullying.

Former Olympian and CABE teacher Leah Pells said she met the teen last spring and formed an instant bond.

"Her quiet nature and loyal love to the world were qualities I really enjoyed in her," she said. "She felt things so deeply, which was a blessing and a curse for her."

Pells said the teen felt safe and accepted at her new school.

Friends and family described the memorial as the birthday party Amanda would have wanted. She would have turned 16 on Nov. 27.

Amanda aspired to be famous singer, whom everyone around the world would know.

"She liked big events," said Meghan Lofgren outside of the theatre

As a friend of Amanda, Lofgren thought her anxiety was getting the better of her in the days before she died.

"It's a good thing a lot of people are here for her [Amanda] because she felt like she had no one," she said.

Another friend, Mackenzie Rippon, wore pink to the ceremony, noting it was one of Amanda's favourite colours.

She said in the weeks since her friend's death, people have started to take a stand to help people in similar situations.

Roslynn Lange is a neighbour who came out to the memorial to support the family.

Lange said her own daughter and Amanda played together when they were kids.

Since the teen's death, the mother said she's been talking to her own kids about bullying, letting them know it gets better when you get older.

People were also asked to bring an unwrapped toy for donation to the SHARE Family & Community Services Society for Christmas.

The family has also established the Amanda Todd Legacy. The fund aims to raise money for anti-bullying education and support programs to help young people with mental health problems and educational initiatives.

Donations can be made online to the Vancouver Foundation or any RBC Canada branch under "Amanda Todd's Trust Fund."

jdeutsch@thenownews.com