Abigail "Abby" Harris

Abigail "Abby" Harris, beloved daughter of George and Lourdes, of Simsbury, died one day short of her 20th birthday on December 29th, 2022. Words cannot capture the beauty, grace, and insight Abby brought into this world. Whether laughing with her cousins and friends, powering across the ice with her Northern Lights teammates, or singing a sweet, soulful soprano at First Church of Simsbury or the Simsbury High School Choir, Abby brought a spirt of light, love, and clear headedness to everything she did and everyone she met.

Born in Honolulu, HI and proud of her Pacific Island heritage, Abby moved with her parents first to Berkeley, CA and then New Britain, where her father served as the Pastor of South Church. Seven years ago, her family moved to Simsbury where Abby attended Simsbury High School before attending and playing hockey at Manhattanville College.

Her hockey teammates, classmates, and friends knew her as a devoted friend, fiercely loyal, and always ready with a kind, affirming word when someone was down. Indeed, her heart was always with those treated harshly or unfairly in this world as she celebrated the goodness and diversity all around her. She was slow to judge, quick to forgive, and said, "I love you," and, "you're so pretty," easily and sincerely.

She possessed a quick, warm sense of humor that was just edgy enough to knock you gently off your pedestal when you needed it most.

From the time she could walk, Abby's whole life demonstrated a passion and love for living, yet this was never so clear as in her last year as she faced her cancer diagnosis.

Following her diagnosis, she recorded a video committing to "Live a beautiful life," and encouraged us to do the same. The remainder of her life was an example to all of us. Despite debilitating treatments, seizures, and visits to the ER and ICU, she found beauty through it all. With her loving parents beside her she traveled to Paris, Myrtle Beach, and to Baltimore to see family; she made repeated trips to cheer on her beloved Boston Bruins; and she met a kind, caring young man, and fell in love.

Even as Abby cared about the inner beauty of those around her, she had an impeccable sense of fashion. Her clothes, make-up, tattoos and piercings accentuated a beautiful person inside and out.

She is survived by her parents, George and Lourdes, her uncles and aunties, Tom and Sasha, and Steve and Mary Ann, her cousins Oscar, Marin, and Fran, many aunties, uncles, and cousins in the Philippines, her grandma, Barbara, her boyfriend Eric, her "hanai" uncles Michael and Stacey, and countless beloved friends and family members.

Her family is forever grateful for the brilliant and compassionate neuro-oncology team at UCONN who would gather around her with excitement on each visit to see her new nail color or tattoo. They loved her. Even there she brought beauty and light.

And we offer profound gratitude to the wonderful, caring people at Athena Hospice, especially her nurse Lindsay who cared for her to the end with skill, gentleness and an open heart.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Church of Simsbury, 689 Hopmeadow Street, on January 7th, 2023 at 11:00am. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Church of Simsbury, with Abby Harris in the memo. First Church will establish an Abby Harris Memorial Hockey Scholarship Fund. Please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com for directions or to leave condolences for the family.