Up, up, and away. Hundreds of balloons sent up to the sky over Cumberland, Maryland.

Kirsten Hansford, Justine Jackson’s mother, explains, “Releasing them into heaven to our angel Justine."

19-year old Justine Jackson was honored and remembered Saturday in a vigil in her hometown. Family and friends wrote messages to her on balloons and sent them loose in the wind.

And though Justine’s death was a tragic one, her mother, Kirsten Hansford, says her daughter would never hold any grudges and lived her life looking at the bright side.

Hansford adds, “She truly believed in the good in people. She will be so sadly missed. She was such a big part of our lives.”

Justine was a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She was even an expecting mother herself.

Hansford says, “She told us she was having a baby so we were really...it’s just tragic now that we won’t be able to share that with her.”

Prayer cards were handed out in remembrance of Justine, but they were also to raise awareness for domestic abuse. Something Justine’s mom says was also a focus of the ceremony.

Hansford notes, “We want to make sure we are bringing awareness to violence and violence to young women."

Donations were also accepted at the vigil for local charities that help abused women...all in Justine’s honor. Her mother hopes Justine’s story will inspire other women to get the help they need.