NEWINGTON, Connecticut (WFSB) – A community is mourning after learning of the death of a little girl who touched so many.

Funny, loving, and with a smile that could light up a room, that’s how everyone described Regan Martins.

She died unexpectedly last Friday at the age of only 12.

Now the city is doing everything it can to pass on the love it shared with them.

“Her smile was contagious. Her hugs were incredible. She was the kindest, sweetest little soul.”

When Shelly Monica, a family friend, heard the news, she was enlightened.

“I was sitting at home looking at the red, white and blue lights of the Olympics. I looked outside and asked my husband to change the lights to pink. I immediately posted on Facebook and asked the whole town to light up Newington pink in honor of Regan,” Monica said.

As expected, the brightness in Newington increased.

“We were driving through the city last night and my daughter was sitting in the back seat counting the pink houses. The more she counted, the more tears came to my eyes,” Monica said.

Joanna Cistulli saw the appeal for pink.

She and her daughter had the same idea of ​​driving around and counting the support.

“She counted 52 lights in a small part of Newington alone,” Cistulli said.

Cistulli’s daughter went to school with Regan and was a Girl Scout.

She says it’s clear that this special 12-year-old has touched so many families in many different ways.

“Just the kind of girl that makes you smile just by looking at her. She was the sweetest little girl,” Cistulli said.

Those who knew Regan say she will be sorely missed and always loved.

There is still a demand to light your house pink, and you don’t have to live in Newington to do it.

Friends say the void left by Regan will be huge, so they must continue to share their love and memories.

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