Roommates mourned the death of Arts & Sciences sophomore Sakina Shakir and said they plan to stage a remembrance service in her honor.

Shakir, 20, lost a battle with cancer that roommates said had seemed to be in remission over the summer, until a sudden relapse forced her return to the hospital on Aug. 11, where she died the following day. In the final days before her death, Shakir underwent both chemotherapy and radiation treatment in an attempt to eliminate fragments of a neck tumor remaining from an operation in July. The cancer spread to her lungs and ultimately caused her death.

"We love and miss Sakina, and while it's not the same without her, we're grateful that she was a part of our Marquette experience," said a joint statement issued yesterday by Shakir's former roommates.

Juniors Angela Arcibal, Courtney Eiflein, Carrie Mashek and Alby Mendoza said they remember Shakir as "a really great person."

Shakir had a fondness for pop music icon Shakira and was an active member of Marquette's Indian Student Association. She participated in both the 2002 and 2003 Diwali light festivals, held annually in the Weasler Auditorium.

Arcibal, Eiflein, Mashek and Mendoza said they are in the early planning stages of a remembrance ceremony for Shakir, but nothing definite has been planned.

A tumor was found in Shakir's neck near her spinal chord in early January, forcing her to quit classes in order to seek treatment as her illness progressed. Shakir had planned to return to classes this semester in order to continue work on a degree in chemistry.

Shakir is survived by her father Tasneem, mother Akbar and older sister Zaneb.

Marquette asks that expressions of condolence be sent to Tasneem and Akbar Shakir and family at 4837 N. Tripp, Chicago, Ill. 60630.,”Brian O'Connor”

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