An Overland Park family is grieving over the death of their eight-year-old child after complications with the flu.
Mackenzie Coyne and her family lived in Overland Park until last year when they moved to Park City, Utah.
One week ago, Mackenzie got sick on her eighth birthday. She had the flu and two days later she died on Valentine's Day.
Her parents are returning to Kansas City for her funeral and burial.
Mackenzie received her flu shot weeks before she was diagnosed with the flu.
Her Aunt, Susan Ratliff, is also a pediatrician. Ratliff believes her niece developed a complication after getting the flu and was too weak to fight it.
Ratliff also explained that flu shots are not a guarantee that someone will not develop the flu. She said the Center for Disease Control studies various strains of flu and determines which strains to include in the annual flu vaccine.
Heartbroken over her nieces death, Ratliff said she can only hope Mackenzie's death will teach others that life is fleeting.
"Mackenzie had a light and a kindness about her she was just the sweetest little girl," she said.
"Just show that love that caring , kind personality that she showed the world," Ratliff concluded.
Funeral and memorial services for Mackenzie Coyne:
Rosary at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Ascension Catholic Church, 9510 West 127th Street in Overland Park. The funeral begins at 10:30 a.m.
-----
Cynthia Newsome can be reached at cynthia.newsome@kshb.com.
