Ava, age 9, passed away after a 5 year battle with leukemia.

Her smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds, and the clouds were many. Yet, she never conducted her life as someone with a problem. Rather, she lived her life as part of the solution. This makes her legacy immeasurable. It is the participation in countless studies and treatments by Ava and so many like her that will eventually lead to a cure.

Ava loved kids. So much so, she implored her parents to have a baby. She relished her role as big sister and served as an excellent role model for young Audrey. She was sure to include and instruct her little sister in all the activities she enjoyed whether it was; baking and decorating cupcakes or cookies for the neighborhood, planning parties or events, or just making slime, Audrey was always by her side. Ava loved arts and crafts. She was a self-starter who would spend a great deal of time combing the pages of Pinterest looking for new ideas to implement. She began making handmade soaps and bath bombs that turned out so well that things took an entrepreneurial turn. Ava decided to start her own business. She always seemed to have visions and dreams that couldn’t be displaced.

Ava absolutely loved going to school, and even though health risks limited her attendance, she flourished. Developing a strong rapport with her teachers as well as a wonderful economy with words. This served to strengthen her sharp sense of humor and use of playful sarcasm. Her strong, upbeat personality allowed Ava to cultivate many friendships in the neighborhood and school as well as maintain a strong bond with her beloved cousins.

Most remarkable was Ava’s ability to maintain such a positive world view, especially considering the adversity she faced. She didn’t see an unjust world, she saw a world of promise. She didn’t see a blue and melancholy world, she saw a world that was teal and vibrant. The melody of her life was far from solemn, it was “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.

Thank you for taking the time to read Ava's story and considering a donation to our Healing Play, Inc. to build this park in honor of my daughter.