Brooklyn McDaniel

Brooklyn Sariah McDaniel, age 13, of Gastonia, NC, passed away surrounded by her loving family, while inpatient at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC, on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 at 5:39 pm, after a courageous 5 year long battle with cancer.
Born on August 2nd, 2011 in Johnson City, NY, Brooklyn was the beloved daughter of Andrew and Diana McDaniel. She was an upcoming 8th grade student at Bessemer City Middle School, though due to her illness, she often wasn't able to attend. Brooklyn made friends in other ways as she always had a special connection with everyone she came in contact with throughout her years of treatment. She became well known all throughout Levine Children's Hospital, both inpatient and outpatient. We were often told that the nurses would fight over who was going to get Brooklyn as a patient for the day. She never put up a fight, or complained about anything. She quickly became a favorite to many of the nurses. She was loved by all for her positive attitude and her many strengths. No matter what she was going through or how she felt, she would always remain polite and respectful to everyone and she always kept a smile on her face. Brooklyn had a love of life like no other, this girl loved everything and everybody.
Brooklyn was a self taught, highly skilled artist. She loved sketching the most and rarely would you ever see her without a sketchbook in hand. She created the most amazing characters, designing beautiful outfits for each of them, focusing on all the little details. If there was something she struggled with, she would study tutorials and teach herself different techniques until she got it just right. She was so incredibly talented and her artwork would often leave people speechless.
Brooklyn enjoyed being outdoors, often swinging for hours at a time, all while listening to her favorite music and soaking in the beauty of nature. She enjoyed swimming with her sisters and she was always up for a shopping trip. The one thing that Brooklyn always wanted to do the most, was spend time together as a family. She always wanted to watch movies together or go to the park, it really didn't matter what we did, as long as we did it together. Brooklyn had a deep understanding of what was truly important in life, she was undeniably wise beyond her years.
Brooklyn was an animal lover, she especially loved the kitty's. Although she called herself a cat person, it was no secret that she loved her little chihuahua, Prince, the most. The two were literally inseparable, wherever she would go, he would follow. Throughout her 5 year battle, he never left her side. He was her protector and she was his person.
Brooklyn fought valiantly until her very last breath. Her true strength and valor were revealed for the whole world to see and she quickly became an inspiration to many around the globe. Brooklyn will be missed dearly by all who loved her, however her spirit will live on forever through each one of us.
Brooklyn is survived by her loving parents, Andrew McDaniel and Diana'Livingston' McDaniel of Gastonia, NC (formerly of Binghamton, NY); Her four siblings: older sister Kayla Becraft, m older sister Jaiden McDaniel, little sister Arielle McDaniel, and her baby brother Roman McDaniel, all of Gastonia, NC; Her grandparents; Roger and Peggy McDaniel of Gastonia, NC, Brenda Jones of Gastonia, NC; Robert Livingston Jr. of Newport, Oregon; Tara Marie Wolf of Endicott, NY; and her many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Brooklyn is preceded in death by her grandfather Thomas Jones of Gastonia, NC.
Funeral arrangements will be held on Wednesday, July 16th 2025 at
Morning Star Lutheran Church
12509 Idlewild Rd, Matthews NC 28105
Family will receive guests starting at 1:00pm in the Worship Center. The service will begin at
2:00pm with Pastor John Mouritsen officiating.