Fourth of July Parade Request: Wear a Tiara

To honor 6-year-old Teresa Bartlinski who died this week after a heart transplant, some Catonsville residents hope people attending the parade will wear a tiara.

"It would be great if people going to the parade and the fireworks wore a tiara in memory of Teresa Bartlinski and in support for the Bartlinski Family," said Katherine Neale in an email to Patch.

The parade along Frederick Road begins at 3 p.m., beginning at Frederick Road and Montrose Avenue, and ending at Ingleside and Bloomsbury avenues. The fireworks will be held at 9:15 p.m. at the school, 421 Bloomsbury Ave.

Bartlinski was adopted by Ed and Ann Bartlinski in 2010, and has needed a heart transplant. The first attempt last month failed. This week she died after another attempt Monday, according to her family's blog "Our Place Called Home."

"We told her to ride her princess bike right into Jesus' arms," her mother wrote in the blog.

Teresa's affinity for princess items, including tiaras, is the positive symbol that residents want to present at the parade and fireworks Thursday.

The hospitalization and surgeries in Philadelphia have proven difficult financially for the family that has eight other children, including some with medical needs, the blog states.

So if a tiara is not your style, donations can be made toward Teresa's medical expenses.

Services for Teresa Bartlinski are as follows, according to the family's blog:

Her viewing will be held from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 5, and the funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Catholic Church 26 Melvin Ave., Catonsville.