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'She carried us all': Loved ones remember Mackenzie Michalski on her birthday

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Family and friends gathered at Asbury Hall on Saturday to honor the life of Mackenzie Michalski.

In November, the 31-year-old Western New York native disappeared while traveling in Budapest, Hungary.

Her body was later found in Hungary, which sent shockwaves throughout the Western New York community and beyond.

Western New York native traveling in Hungary found dead, man arrested for murder

Loved ones used what would have been her 32nd birthday to celebrate her life and legacy.

"She absolutely loved her birthday," Kelly Wurster said. "To have everyone that knows her and loves her be together celebrating her is very special."

"It's overwhelming and emotional," Brooke Adams said. "To see how much support she has is amazing."

Born in Buffalo and raised in Fredonia, Michalski was a nurse practitioner with a passion for life and a commitment to uplifting others.

"Mackenzie was probably the brightest person I've ever met," Molly Eimer said. "She just had this spirit about her that was magnetic and absolutely joyful."

Before moving to Oregon she worked at Buffalo General Medical Center's Medical ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"She really saw the worst of the worst," Eimer added. "I know it took a toll on her but she showed up for her coworkers to make them smile, laugh and get through the day. She was a spark of energy and anybody that met her felt this. It didn't matter if this was a first-time meeting or someone that had known her forever. She just was authentic."

Michalski's disappearance ignited an international search effort.

"Buffalo rallied for the search for her," Mary Eustace said. "Parts of the world did. They're even rallying for her now that she's been found. So many people have reached out and have been such a support to the family and us. We appreciate everyone a lot."

"She carried us all," said Eimer. "If this were any of us, she'd lit the world on fire to find us."

She loved the movie Toy Story, so her memorial on Saturday concluded with the song, "You've Got A Friend In Me."

To honor her memory, Michalski's family asked that donations be made to the Multnomah County Central Library or the Oregon Dachshund Rescue Inc. and that people live their lives as authentically as she did.

And those who love to travel are asked to use the hashtag #HelpKenzieTravel on Instagram so she can continue to see the world.