Ten-year-old Julia Chetcuti's life was celebrated at the Lija Parish Church on Monday, after she tragically passed away from cancer.

Her passing was announced on Thursday by Puttinu Cares and her mother, Rodianne.

Puttinu Cares said on Monday that "a memory which we will treasure for life are Julia's words written on the memorial prayer card given today. It shows a list, written by brave and intelligent Julia herself who asked everyone to remember her like this: Being brave in my darkest moments; Never giving up (even though it was really hard); Staying positive when life was like a place that crumbled down into pieces; My love for school and eagerness to learn - St Monica School = my family; Loving films (especially Harry Potter); Living day by day because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow; Being a bookwork. Books relax me and take me into a different world."

"Thank you Julia for teaching us the true meaning of life. We love you forever," Puttinu Cares wrote.