Delaney: Slator played until the end

Molly Slator worked hard at sports and she worked hard at beating cancer.

On Saturday morning, the 16-year-old Stockbridge Valley junior died from a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that affects soft tissue. Slator played soccer, basketball and softball.

"She was about to break out in all three," said Stockbridge varsity softball coach Chris Peto, whose known Slator since she was a freshman. "Softball was her strongest, but she was an excellent soccer goalie."

Peto, a third-grade teacher in the Stockbridge district, said Slator worked at being a better athlete. She approached her illness the same way. Slator was diagnosed with cancer during the summer and went to school well into the fall, against the advice of her doctors. She was determined to go to Denny's for dinner with her family and Peto a few days before her death.

"She never gave up," the coach said. "She fought and when she had tough choices in front of her, she made the choice with the possibility to get better."

Slator is survived by her parents, Dan and Mary, and two brothers, Dan and John.