Her sweet voice, funny laugh and warm smile.

Those are among the precious things Heather and Bryan Adams miss most about their 6-year-old daughter.

“Adjusting is hard,” Heather said, fighting back tears. “Nothing quite feels right.

“We’re busy with our kids, but I would like it to be busier with one more voice of chaos.”

The Adams’ household on Auburn’s Lea Hill is quieter these days. The family is coping, grieving and recovering from a devastating loss.

Mara Allison Adams – a vibrant, playful and adorable girl – lost her 11-month fight with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer on Sept. 22.

Even in her final weeks, Mara managed to smile when she couldn’t talk, chuckle when she couldn’t laugh as the illness – an uncommon and inoperable cancer known as DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) – weakened the courageous child.

Mara was diagnosed with the cancer last October. Given the difficult prognosis with the type of brain tumor, there were few treatment options, none of which have been proven effective long term.

Despite “outstanding, great care” by doctors and clinicians, according to the family, Mara faced considerable odds. Frequent radiation and chemotherapy ultimately could not reverse the course of the cancer.

“It seems like a dream. Was it really real with all that happened?” Bryan said of the ordeal.

Added Heather: “I miss her smile, obviously. She put up with so much … and her voice.”

It was a distinct voice and laugh that could be heard competing for her mother’s attention along with her sisters Natalie, 4, and Katrina, 1, and brother Max, 8.

Originally from Ephrata, Bryan and Heather named their second child Mara, which in the Greek form of the name, means “eternally beautiful.” Her middle name, Allison, comes from her aunt, a brain cancer survivor.

Mara, a first-grader at Arthur Jacobsen Elementary, loved to dance, swim, color and draw. She enjoyed puzzles and games, and being a part of a loving family.

She was embraced at her school, her church and community.

Staff, teachers and students joined the family in paying a tribute to Mara with a ceremony and a release of purple balloons on Friday.

It was their way to remember and honor a special girl.

The school supported the girl’s plight by forming Mara’s Team. Students joined faculty in wearing purple T-shirts on Fridays and on those days when Mara had a scheduled MRI.

Maggie Davis, Mara’s kindergarten teacher, designed the T-shirts that included a cartoon caricature of the girl. While pink was Mara’s favorite color, purple was a close second and a hue boys preferred to wear.

The T-shirts were sold as a fundraiser to support the family.

The family is planning to honor Mara with a tribute of their own, perhaps a garden, maybe book donations at the school library in her name.

It is the family’s hope that Mara’s passing will bring more awareness to DIPG, an uncommon cancer underfunded in the pursuit to finding its cure.

Through it all, the Adams family is appreciative of all the support.

“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from family, friends, co-workers, church members, members of the community and many whom we don’t know,” the Adams family wrote on their Web page devoted to Mara. “We certainly would not be able to deal with this situation without the love and prayers of so many.”

Along with that support, faith has been a powerful guidance for the Adams family.

“It certainly has been an anchor for us,” said Heather, whose family belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It doesn’t take the pain away, but it helps and gives us hope.”

For more about Mara’s story, please visit www.maraadams.com. For learn more about DIPG, turn to www.justonemoreday.org.