Caylee Anthony's Grandmother Writes Public Eulogy

The grandmother of slain Orlando toddler Caylee Anthony says the child's life didn't end "without a purpose."

In a eulogy published in the Orlando Sentinel Sunday, Cindy Anthony says her granddaughter "now has her angel wings and will be watching over so many other children."

Cindy Anthony said the family will honor Caylee's memory by starting the Caylee Marie Anthony Foundation.

"The foundation's purpose will be to continue to generate awareness for missing children and to establish programs to assist in the well-being of those children in need of comfort and support during difficult and stressful times," she wrote.

Caylee was 2 years old when she was reported missing last summer. Her remains were found Dec. 11 in a wooded area about two miles from her home.

The toddler's mother, Casey Anthony, was charged with her murder.

Cindy Anthony wrote that her ganddaughter's death has led to an increase in donations to charitable organizations like Toys for Tots, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Kind Finders Network.

A memorial service is being held Tuesday for Caylee.

The public will be invited to attend the service at the First Baptist Church of Orlando. Cameras will not be allowed inside.

"The family is requesting that those with only the purest of hearts and truly honorable intentions attend the service for their beloved child," Cindy Anthony wrote. "This service will be a tribute to her life and a time for her family and friends to finally be together to openly express and share their love for her."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

February 8, 2009
Cindy Anthony wrote this eulogy to her slain granddaughter Caylee Marie Anthony for publication in the Orlando Sentinel -- her first public comments since the toddler's death was confirmed in December. A public memorial service is Tuesday.

(Eulogy begins)

Caylee Marie Anthony has captivated the hearts of so many people over the course of the last several months. Many feel a great loss for a beautiful child that they never had the opportunity to meet. They quickly fell in love with her beauty and her charming ways, as she read a story to her ailing great-grandfather, whom she loved very much.

For those who fell in love with Caylee Marie on national TV, their grief is only temporary, their hearts will soon mend, and their memory of her may eventually fade. But for those who actually had the honor to meet Caylee Marie, it will be much more difficult for them to say goodbye, and their hearts may never heal.

On Aug. 9, 2005, God blessed this Earth with one of his most beautiful children. Caylee Marie was born at 7:14 a.m. in an Orlando hospital. From the moment she was born she forever stole the hearts of her family. Caylee was not only a beautiful baby, but she had a beautiful spirit that will live on in those that truly knew her and loved her.

She is survived by her mother, Casey Marie Anthony; her grandparents, George and Cindy Anthony; her uncle Lee Anthony; and her great-grandparents, Alex and Shirley Plesea and Ruth and Lee Anthony.

Caylee's life will be honored in a memorial service open to the public Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Orlando beginning at 10 a.m.

The family is requesting that those with only the purest of hearts and truly honorable intentions attend the service for their beloved child. This service will be a tribute to her life and a time for her family and friends to finally be together to openly express and share their love for her.

The family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Eastside Baptist Church, 1900 Conway Gardens Road in Orlando; Orlando Rescue Mission; or Kid Finders Network.

Because of Caylee, so many other children have been the recipient of the kindness and generosity from those who have donated on her behalf. Donations have been made to numerous organizations such as Toys for Tots, Shriners, St. Jude's Hospital, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Orlando Rescue Mission and Kid Finders Network. Another child will receive a new smile after receiving multiple reconstructive surgeries to repair a cleft palate.

Because of this outpouring of compassion, the family will continue to honor Caylee's memory by establishing the Caylee Marie Anthony Foundation. The foundation's purpose will be to continue to generate awareness for missing children and to establish programs to assist in the well-being of those children in need of comfort and support during difficult and stressful times.

Caylee's life may have been short-lived on this earth, but her life will not have ended without a purpose. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Caylee Marie Anthony now has her angel wings and will be watching over so many other children.