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Woman Killed In San Bernardino Terrorist Attack Awarded Her Degree Posthumously

WILMINGTON  (CBSLA.com) —  Aurora Godoy was killed in the San Bernardino terror attack just shy of graduation.

In recognition of her hard work, and a life cut short, she was honored Wednesday evening with the diploma she would have earned after four years at LA Harbor College.

Godoy's family, including her husband and 2-year-old son, were there to honor her achievement.

"Sometimes she's be frustrated because there'd be a lot going on and not enough time sometimes to do it, but she was able to do it," husband James Godoy told KCAL9's Andrea Fujii.

Aurora, 26, was the youngest of the 14 people killed in the attack last December.

She was not only working as an office assistant for the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, but was also managing a family and going to school.

Godoy had just two classes remaining before she was able to graduate with an associate degree (AA)  in liberal arts.

School trustees decided she should received her diploma posthumously.

Though honored to accept the degree, her father said he wished more than anything she could be there to receive it herself.

"I'm very proud because she's my only daughter," said father Manuel Banales.

Carson High School sweethearts, Godoy says he will proudly display his wife's diploma and looking forward to explaining what it means to their son.

"I know we made each other happy," he said.

The school also announced that when Godoy's son is old enough, he will be able to attend any LA Community College for free.

 

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