Zoe DaZhi McMorran, 16, of North Attleboro, Mass., died on March 19, just as the sun came out that afternoon. Her final days were spent surrounded by love from family and close friends at her home.

Zoe was the inspiration behind The Great Pumpkin Challenge, a special event that has brought hundreds of unique carved pumpkins to Main Street in Newtown for Halloween since 2011, while also raising funds for the McMorran family, the American Cancer Society, and The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp.

The project was launched by Mackenzie Page, a family friend of Zoe, when Mackenzie was an eighth grade student at Newtown Middle School. Mackenzie invited residents to drop off their carved pumpkins, along with a donation for the family or nonprofit organizations, and the town responded. The challenge was met with hundreds of lit pumpkins put on display for trick-or-treaters for six years (the first five at the Page residence on Main Street, and then at Trinity Episcopal Church in 2016 once Mackenzie began her college career). Individuals, couples, families, groups, and town agencies all answered the challenge, often dropping off multiple pumpkins and large donations to honor a young girl most had never met.

Mackenzie was inspired, she told The Newtown Bee in October 2011, after Zoe had asked everyone who knew her to be an opZOmist in the days, weeks, and months following her diagnosis with brain cancer.

A sophomore at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, Mass., Zoe explored the early education program as a freshman where her passion for children shined. She then joined the culinary arts program this year, which was a perfect match for her creative side and love of all things sweet and savory. She truly enjoyed working with her classmates, teachers, and staff, and always looked forward to greeting the patrons at Gerry's Place (Tri-County's own restaurant) with a smile on her face.

Zoe volunteered at Sacred Heart on Sundays, assisting with the Children's Liturgy of the Word program. She also enjoyed her role at the World War I Park and Zoo caring for the animals on the weekends and as a counselor in training for its summer camp.

Zoe lived life to the fullest embracing all that was offered. Her positive attitude reminded others of the most important things in life, like family, friends, and, of course, food. Her humor and smile easily turned tough situations into good ones. She loved her music and singing and would never miss an opportunity to record a new track at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp recording studio. She loved cooking and baking and could not wait to try out recipes in her new Pioneer Woman cookbook.

A stroke left Zoe with some physical limitations, but her determination, perseverance, and optimistic attitude allowed her to achieve greatness.

Zoe attended Loral Sims School of Dance Studio 1 & 2, where she enjoyed lyrical, ballet, and her most recent passion: musical theater. She also loved her Tuesday evening art classes at M. Walker Studio, exploring a variety of mediums alongside her sister Avery and some very special classmates creating pieces that will be forever cherished.

From an early age, Zoe was ever the jokester. All who met Zoe easily and immediately understood that she embraced every moment. Her ability to connect with others was very special. A simple "Good Morning" or "Hi" could change anyone's day. Zoe's self-confidence was admirable and an inspiration to others. Her smile was contagious, her laugh infectious, her sense of humor unique, and her ability to surreptitiously steal a person's cellphone to take selfies or other random photographs was unparalleled.

Zoe sang, danced, and laughed her way through life. Her simple approach to each day was a blessing and an opportunity to brighten other people's lives. Zoe's passing reminds her loved ones that her life is one to be celebrated. Although her loved ones miss her presence terribly, she remains forever in their hearts.

Zoe leaves behind the teams at Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, VNA Care and Hospice, and many loving therapists who were devoted to Zoe and making life about living. They truly were an extension of family for Zoe.

Her loving parents Jen and Pat McMorran; sister Avery McMorran of North Attleboro; paternal grandparents Monica and Phillip McMorran of Ridgefield; maternal grandmother Judy Watt of Sodus Point, N.Y.; aunts and uncles; 13 cousins; cherished friends; and countless other adoring great-aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends survive Zoe. Her maternal grandfather David Watt; a cousin, and her beloved dog predeceased her.

Calling hours are to be conducted Friday, March 24, from 4 to 8 pm, at Sacred Heart Church, 58 Church Street, North Attleboro. A celebratory funeral mass will be conducted on Saturday, March 25, at 11 am, at the Sacred Heart Church. A collation will follow the service.

Donations may be made in Zoe's memory to The Zoe D. McMorran Benefit account, 369 Old Post Road, North Attleboro MA 02760; The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Conn., at holeinthewallgang.org/get-involved/#donate; or The Floating Hospital for Children - Pediatric Oncology / Hematology Clinic, 755 Washington Street, Boston MA 02116.

Arrangements provided by Sperry & McHoul Funeral Home, North Attleboro.

To sign an online guestbook for Zoe, visit sperry-mchoul.com.