Memorial Monday for Alicia Parlette

A public memorial will be held Monday for Alicia Parlette, the 28-year-old Chronicle copy editor with incurable cancer who shared her story with San Francisco and the world.

Friends and readers will gather from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lafayette Park in Pacific Heights to remember Parlette, who died April 22 after her five-year battle with cancer, which she documented in her 17-part series, "Alicia's Story."

A candle-lighting ceremony starts at 7 p.m.

"Her family and all her friends were overwhelmed at the public response these past weeks, and we sensed the San Francisco Bay Area is really interested in her and it's important they have an outlet to express their goodbyes," said Dianna Mangiantini, who attended Granite Bay High School with Parlette.

Parlette's eulogy will be given by former Chronicle Managing Editor Robert Rosenthal, who guided Parlette's series.

One of Parlette's high school English teachers will read from her student's favorite book, "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Parlette, in her series and in notes left behind, requested a song: "For Me This Is Heaven," by Jimmy Eat World:

"If I don't let myself be happy now then when?

If not now when?

When the time we have now ends.

When the big hand goes round again.

Can you still feel the butterflies?

Can you still hear the last goodnight?

Close my eyes and believe wherever you are, an angel for me."

A private family service will be held May 15 in Granite Bay.

Contributions in Parlette's memory may be sent to the Alicia Parlette Fund for Aspiring Journalists, Reynolds School of Journalism, Mail Stop 310, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557.

The Chronicle has a limited supply of "Alicia's Story," a paperback compilation of the first installment of the series. All proceeds after tax and shipping will go to the Alicia Parlette Fund for Aspiring Journalists. To order a copy, send a check for $15 to "Alicia's Story," San Francisco Chronicle, 901 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103.

Lafayette Park is on Sacramento Street between Gough and Laguna streets in San Francisco.

E-mail Meredith May at mmay@sfchronicle.com.