A heartbreaking milestone was observed in Surrey Monday night, as it has now been 15 years since Maple Batalia’s life came to a tragic end.

On Sept. 28, 2011, Maple was shot and stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend as she left Surrey’s SFU campus.

Now, her family is turning tragedy into purpose.

Poonam Batalia, Maple’s niece, says despite the heartbreak, her family has found a way to keep Maple’s dreams alive. Maple was studying health sciences and dreamed of becoming a doctor. After her death, her family created a bursary to help other young women pursue careers in health sciences.

Fifteen years later, they’re carrying Maple’s dream forward by helping other women build the future she never got the chance to.

“I think she would be proud,” Poonam said.

“I think she would feel like her life wasn’t wasted, that she made a difference in a few people’s lives. She would be happy.”

The endowment fund has grown to just over $192,000 and has helped 30 students achieve their academic goals.

“Many of our students are daughters of first-generation immigrants,” said Dr. David Bangsberg, dean of SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

“They are working to meet their financial needs to pay their tuition and it can be overwhelming, and to have a little help can help students focus on their studies and achieve their ambitions and have progress towards their career path.”

The money has been donated generously from the community, the Batalia family, and through fundraisers like the Whisk Taker’s Oven, which sells a maple-flavoured cookie for $5, with all the proceeds going to the Maple Batalia Memorial Endowment.

Maple was the youngest of three children, and her family says helping other students reach their goals helps ease the sadness and pain from their loss.

“To see another student benefit from what Maple could have become, it really makes them feel as they see Maple inside of them,” Poonam said.

She shared fond memories of Maple, describing her as kind-hearted and loving. She recalls spending most of her childhood within arm’s reach of her Auntie, and even though years have passed, she says it hasn’t gotten any easier knowing that her life ended too soon in a senseless act.

“I imagine her being married, having kids,” Poonam said.

“There were a lot of moments she never got to live because of this, and it’s heartbreaking to know that we will never get to see her accomplish her dreams.”