Family and friends gathered Monday evening to honor Evelyn Rodriguez on the second anniversary of her tragic death.

The 50-year-old Brentwood mother of three became an anti-gang activist after her daughter, Kayla Cuevas, was allegedly murdered by MS-13 gang members.

To the Rodriguez family, she was their heart and soul.

"Not having the presence of Kayla and Evelyn not here, a piece of our heart has been taken from us," says Freddy Cuevas, Rodriguez's partner.

"I want everyone to remember the good that my mom did, what she was fighting for, what she fought for and I want to show people that she never stopped," says Kelsey Cuevas, Rodriguez's daughter.

On Sept. 14, 2018, Rodriguez was struck and killed by an SUV near the site where Kayla Cuevas and Nissa Mickens were found beaten in 2016. Her death was sparked by a heated confrontation with the driver of the SUV over the placement of a memorial for Kayla and Nissa.

Before her death, Rodriguez gained national attention for her crusade against MS-13. She took center stage when President Donald Trump visited Long Island to hold a roundtable discussion on immigration and gangs. She pushed for federal and state aid to protect children from gang violence.

Rodriguez secured $27 million from the state for at-risk youth programs and helped advocate for children from El Salvador in need of heart surgery.

Kelsey Cuevas says her family is continuing Rodriguez's fight to rid communities of gangs and help kids in need.

"My mom was a warrior. My mom was a strong, strong mother," says Kelsey Cuevas.