Andrea Mariano, Queen's University student, dies of severe allergic reaction

A first-year student died from a severe allergic reaction during the first week of classes atQueen's University in Kingston, Ont.

Andrea Mariano, 18, from Thornhill, Ont., died at the Kingston General Hospital on Sept. 18from ananaphylactic allergic reaction,the university said in a statement issued Monday.

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"I would like to express my deepest condolences to Andrea's family on behalf of the Queen's community," principal Daniel Woolf said. "We are saddened by the loss of this promising young woman."

According to her Facebook profile, Marianograduated fromSt. Elizabeth Catholic High School this year and started studying at Queen's this fall.

An online memorial has been set up in her honour.

Mariano's family told Global News she was allergic to peanuts and dairy.

The advocacy groupFood Allergy Canada offered its condolences on Facebook.The group says some2.5 million Canadians, including 300,000 under18,have at least one food allergy.

Queen's has lowered its flags to half-mastand is planning an on-campus memorial service for Mariano at a later date.