Okotoks Mourns Loss of 7-Year-Old Lukah Mitchell, Remembered as a Bright and Joyful Light
OKOTOKS, ALBERTA — The town of Okotoks is united in grief following the heartbreaking and sudden loss of Lukah Mitchell, a 7-year-old girl whose radiant spirit, boundless imagination, and joyful laughter touched the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to know her. Lukah passed away unexpectedly this past week, and her memory is being honored by a community now grappling with unimaginable sorrow.
Born in 2018 to loving parents Sarah and Jason Mitchell, Lukah was a vibrant child whose presence could brighten even the darkest room. Described by family and friends as “a bright light,” Lukah was the kind of child who danced through life — literally and figuratively. Whether she was twirling barefoot in the backyard, painting pictures with bold colors and bigger dreams, or crafting stories with her favorite dolls, Lukah brought wonder and happiness to all corners of her world.
“She had this magical way of making everyone feel special — like you were the most important person in the world when she looked at you,” said her mother, Sarah. “She was curious, kind, and had this laugh that you could hear down the street. It was pure joy.”
Lukah was a proud student at École Percy Pegler School, where she was known for her enthusiastic participation in class, her love of reading, and her contagious excitement during art projects. Her teachers remember her as creative, empathetic, and wise beyond her years — a child who made fast friends and radiated positivity.
“She was the kind of student every teacher dreams of — curious, compassionate, and full of life,” said one of her teachers, who recalled Lukah’s favorite book being The Paper Bag Princess and how she would reenact scenes for her classmates, often making them erupt into giggles.
Outside the classroom, Lukah loved playing soccer, singing loudly in the car, and riding her bike down the trails of Okotoks with her big brother, Grayson, and her dog, Milo, by her side. Her favorite color was yellow — fitting, as it perfectly reflected her sunny disposition.
To her family, Lukah was not just a daughter and sister — she was their heartbeat. “She taught us how to love more deeply and laugh more freely,” said her father, Jason. “We feel broken without her, but also so incredibly lucky that she was ours, even for such a short time.”
The circumstances surrounding Lukah’s passing have not been publicly disclosed, but the outpouring of support from friends, neighbors, and even strangers has been overwhelming. Vigils have been held in her honor, including one outside her school where dozens gathered to release yellow balloons into the sky — each one bearing a message of love, sorrow, and gratitude for a life that ended far too soon.
Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn expressed heartfelt condolences to the Mitchell family, stating:
“Our entire town mourns with you. Lukah was clearly a very special little girl, and her passing is a loss that ripples across our entire community.”
A celebration of life service for Lukah Mitchell will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Okotoks United Church, with a reception to follow. Attendees are encouraged to wear bright colors — especially yellow — to honor Lukah’s love for light and joy.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities – Southern Alberta or to a newly established Lukah’s Light Fund, which will support arts and wellness programs for children in the Okotoks area.
Lukah is survived by her devoted parents Sarah and Jason, her loving brother Grayson, her grandparents Deborah and Thomas Mitchell and Lorraine and Peter Hargrave, as well as a large circle of extended family, classmates, neighbors, and friends who will carry her memory in their hearts forever.
Though her time here was tragically brief, Lukah Mitchell’s light will never fade. She lives on in every painted sunset, every dandelion wish, and every burst of laughter among children at play. She reminded us all to dream, to smile, and above all — to love.
“Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them.” – Anna Taylor