Susan Petley's heart raced as she walked across the stage on graduation night at St. Michael's Adult Catholic High School in Windsor, Ont.

It was a moment she dreamt about for decades, but it was all wrong.

"There's hurt and anger and love," said Petley, describing the emotions that moved her to tears and a sweltering gymnasium into an emphatic ovation.

Petley was on hand to accept her daughter Bethany Anne Coupe's high school diploma after she died of cancer in April.

"I am a very proud mom but it breaks my heart because she's not here to see this," she said, holding on tight to her daughter Cynthia, standing by her side. WATCH | New crop of high school graduates receive diplomas:

Family receives diploma on behalf of student who died before graduation October 17 | Duration

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