Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's Final Days Were Filmed for Her Family's Show: 'That's What She Wanted' (Exclusive)
On Wednesday, Cardwell's loved ones gathered for her private funeral, which PEOPLE was invited to attend
Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell's legacy will live on.
Mama June Shannon's oldest daughter died on Saturday at the age of 29. Her death came months after she was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma in January.
At her funeral on Wednesday, which PEOPLE was invited to attend, her loved ones said her final days were filmed for their family's show because "that's what she wanted."
Anna Cardwell TikTok
Anna "Chickadee" CardwellCardwell previously appeared alongside her family on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras and later, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. She and her family now appear on WE tv's Mama June: Family in Crisis.
Of the crew members, her loved ones told PEOPLE that they consider them "friends and family." They attended the service on Wednesday as guests and were not filming the service for the show, PEOPLE confirms.
The support was something that was appreciated by Cardwell's family, including her 18-year-old sister, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, who told PEOPLE that her death felt "surreal" and she was "still processing."
The sentiments were echoed by their 23-year-old sister Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird, who told PEOPLE that the family was "doing as best as they can."
Lauryn Efird/ Instagram
Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell with her sisters and momShannon announced Cardwell's death in a touching Instagram post on Sunday.
"With the breaking heart, we are announcing that @annamarie35 is no longer with us," her caption read. "She passed away in my home last night peacefully at 11:12 PM. She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months she passed away with her family around her like she won't and we will will be updating y'all with more information as we get it today."
On Monday, Shannon shared details of the funeral arrangements on social media and promised to honor her daughter's life.
Related: Mama June Shannon's 4 Daughters: Everything to Know
Following Cardwell’s death, Thompson paid tribute to her sister on Instagram: "Anna was in so much pain last night but now as a family we all know she is at peace now. I really don’t know what to say as my heart is completely broken."
"Watching my 29 year old sister this last year battle this horrible disease hasn’t been easy. Anna was a fighter & still is. Lord please wrap your arms around her 2 babies & our family as the next couple of days will make this all a reality 🥹," she wrote. "I’m so glad that you waited til I was home to take your last breath! I would’ve loved for you to get to see me graduate college but I know you will forever cheer me on in heaven!"
"We will all make sure your legacy lives on forever," she concluded. "And I promise to always make sure to celebrate our birthday like you never left! The sky looks a little bit different today. We will always love you Anna 💔. You hit me hard with his one Anna but I know your in a better place now and pain free forever!"
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Cardwell is mom to two daughters — Kaitlyn Elizabeth, born in 2012, and Kylee Madison, born in 2015 — and quietly married her husband Eldridge Toney in March, according to a marriage certificate obtained by PEOPLE.
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