Ava Howland Obituary
Ava was a free spirited soul who lived in the moment. Ava loved her family and spending time with them creating memories, lots of laughter and always making sure there was a photo opportunity, for they will last a lifetime.
Ava loved the beach, shopping and being who she was in the moment.
For many years, Ava was a member of P.F.C.A. and was a competitive cheerleader. She enjoyed hitting the mats and traveling all over with her 1st and life long best friend and cousin, Allyson Nicol.
Ava was preceded in death by her father, Stephen Howland III. Surviving Ava is her mother, Debbie Howland; her stepbrother, Stephen Howland IV (Susan); a niece, Noemi; and nephew Cole.
Ava will also be sadly missed by her grandparents, Carol & Michael Ruszin Jr.; uncle Jason Ruszin (Heather); Dion Ruszin (Linda); cousins, JJ and Jalyn Ruszin and Jennifer and Collin McCormick.
She will also be missed by her grandparents, Sam and Alison Nicol; aunts, Tina Grady (Bill), Natalie and Sarah Nicol; uncles, Sam (Brandi) and Dan (Jackie) Nicol; as well as many cousins, friends and loved ones.
Ava's celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018, from 1:30 until 3:30 pm, at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown.
At the request of Ava's family, please wear purple in support of Overdose Awareness.
Deborah Howland
May 11, 2025
Good morning Angel Ava Michelle, 7 years ago today I became an Angel Mom. It surely isn't how I wanted to spend the rest of my life, without you here. It has been 7 years of missing everything in my life that meant something to me, you were my everything! You are remembered with so much love Ava my beautiful and only child. Heaven is lucky to have such a strong but sensitive soul. "My Wish" for you is peace, love and happiness in Heaven and that your soul always stays close to me until I get there! Starting another year without you but remembering you always. Mommy Loves You!
Mommy Loves You!
Deborah Howland
May 11, 2024
To be placed in Nevada for your 6th Angelversary
Deborah Howland
May 11, 2024
Deborah Howland
May 11, 2023
My Beautiful Angel Ava Michelle, 5 yrs have gone by and there is not a single moment in time I don't think of you my beautiful butterfly. Mommy misses you & loves you very much. Your BFF Ally woke up and posted the kindess words about you. We love you & miss you so very much! Don't ever stop sending signs like the dime today, they let me know you are never so far away, I can't find you or you find me. Be a good girl in Heaven. Mommy Loves You ❤
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Deborah Howland
May 21, 2022
Deborah Howland
May 21, 2022
Deborah Howland
May 21, 2022
Deborah Howland
May 21, 2022
Deborah Howland
May 21, 2022
Happy 29th Heavenly Birthday Ava Michelle! I hope your celebrating with the Angels. May God keep you in his loving arms until I can hold you again & never let you go!
Mommy's Angel
Deborah Howland
April 12, 2022
Missing you always my Angel Ava Michelle, 47 Months in Heaven. Love Mommy
Deborah Howland
November 24, 2021
I went to decorate your little memorial I keep at the beach, there were feathers everywhere Miss you so much, saving a plate for you on Thanksgiving. Your are missed so very much my beautiful Angel Ava Michelle ❤
Deborah Howland
June 11, 2020
My Angel Ava, 25 months today, your Forever24 5/11/18 was so painful, I struggled. But today you are with God 25 months and Mommy misses you so very much. Wishing this just wasn't real that your gone. Love Mommy
Easter 2020 my Angel Ava
Deborah Howland
April 12, 2020
Happy Heavenly Easter Angel Ava. Thank you for the penny, your truly the best Angel a Mommy could ask for. Forever Loved! Forever Missed! Forever Remembered! Forever24. Until we meet in Heaven, know you are making a difference in the lives of many! ❤
DEBORAH HOWLAND
December 22, 2019
My sweet Angel Ava Michelle, the only gift I truly want I will never have is waking up on Christmas and seeing you smile unwrapping your gifts. I miss and love you so much! May God keep you in his grace always & I hope your celebrating Christmas with your Daddy in Heaven, Forever24 Forever Loved Forever Missed by you family & your Mommy!❤
I miss you so much Ava!!!
DEBORAH HOWLAND
October 11, 2019
My dear Ava, you will be remembered as long as I live. The "AVA for Life" Narcan program launched the Facebook page and under posts it explains the program for others to see on 8/31/19 and together we are saving lives!! Mommy misses you beyond words, I miss your smile, your voice, your hugs and all your creative gifts & cards. My birthday will be sad but know your Mom is still fighting for you and others!! Forever24, Forever Loved & Forever Missed! God please take good care of my beloved daughter Ava!!!
Sunset Beach
Angela G
August 11, 2019
Thoughts and prayers for Ava Michelle.
Chris Morkides
June 2, 2019
Just got back from my usual walk along the shore at Sunset Beach and came upon the memorial-in-the-sand for Ava Michelle. I didn't know her, but I'm a mental health counselor and know a number of people who battle addiction and have known some who have lost their battle with addiction. Thanks for the memorial. It personalizes how substance abuse takes the lives of good, good people and emphasizes how it's a long, hard battle worth fighting. God bless her family and friends.
Natalie Watson
May 29, 2019
I was at Sunset Beach and saw the beautiful memorial. I did not know Ava. As someone who has lost friends and family to the disease of addiction, though, I thank you deeply for sharing about Ava at Sunset Beach and here. I will carry Ava, her mother, and her family in my heart and will think of her for overdose and addiction awareness. She must have been a truly amazing and wonderful person and I am so sorry for this loss.
Deborah Howland
March 8, 2019
Ava, I miss you terribly and wish you were here, 10 months soon and a year on the 20th since I held, kissed or hugged you, I am sad today, you were loved Ava by so many people that told Mommy so, may you fly with the Angels and help the Angel Moms fight this battle we have been given. God Bless you my Angel
Deborah Howland
October 17, 2018
Ava Mommy misses you terribly, this just doesn't seem real :(
Marianne
July 27, 2018
Deb, I just heard about the passing of your beautiful daughter, Ava. My heart is breaking for you. I remember talking about our daughters who shared the love of cheerleading while we were both in the pantry at work. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers. May God give you the strength to carry on.
Bunny Long
June 2, 2018
Heart felt prayers for you and your family today. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. The right words are hard to find please know that you are in my prayers . God bless
Desiree Coker-Smith
May 27, 2018
Sorry for your loss I send my deepest condolences to you and your family stay strong I met her mother threw Walmart such a beautiful woman she talked about you about how much she loved you and would jump over the moon for you. I was so glad I got to meet the beautiful face from all the wonderful stories. Rest well sweet angel rest well...
Amanda Fitzgerald
May 25, 2018
Ava Baby, my best friend, my person, the one i went to for anything and everything.. I miss you more than words can explain. We were the 3 musketeers.. Me you and my sissy. You will forever be in our hearts. I miss your laugh, your smile, your beautiful face, everything about you. I know you're in a better place now. Just know that I am always thinking about you. You always knew how to brighten up my day and I know we always had each others backs. Remember us riding around on your scoot? Those days were the absolute best. I wish we could go back to them. Those were some of the happiest days of my life, just doing the simple things with you, and no matter what, we always, always made it fun. I could go on and on about all the fun times we had. I love you so much my Ava Baby. Fly high my angel❤
Carol Rusxim
May 24, 2018
Ava was a beautiful girl with so much life in her. You were taken away to soon. We had so many things we wanted to share with you. I have a hard time thinking that you are gone. I want to remember all the good times we had. Baby girl you will always be in our hearts and mind forever. Grandmom and Pop Pop.
DEBORAH HOWLAND
May 24, 2018
My one and only child, I miss you so much. I light this candle for you, as I know how much you loved the candles you made and were going to try to start a business selling them, which made Mommy so happy because they were so beautiful.
DEBORAH HOWLAND
May 24, 2018
Ava, my dear sweet child. You touched so many lives in such a great way, it was comforting to your Mom to hear how many peopled you helped and loved you. Ava, you had an amazing sense of humor that I will miss so much. God gave me you for 24 years and has called you back. I miss you terribly and truly miss hearing you say, "Mom". May you rest in peace with your Daddy and all the others you lost, may your heart, body and mind hurt no more and your beautiful soul be free!
Timmy Frey
May 24, 2018
The emptiness that is felt with your passing will take a lifetime to fill.
Your now one of our angels in Heaven looking over the loved ones left behind.
We love love you and thank you for touching our lives.
May you rest in peace demon free.
Jayanth Ravi
May 21, 2018
Words seem inadequate to express the sorrow felt by the loss of "Ava"
Saying goodbye to someone we love is heartbreaking. May you find comfort in all the special memories shared with her. My deepest sympathy and condolences.
Helen Kustowski
May 20, 2018
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Tara Collora
May 19, 2018
Debbie I'm thinking and sending prayers for you. Love you
Rachel McFadden (Ruszin)
May 18, 2018
Thinking of you and your family. I am sorry for your loss and hope your memories comfort you all.
Udhaya Kumar Sriramulu
May 18, 2018
Accept my deepest and heartfelt condolences
May 17, 2018
Ava,
You are Loved and Missed by so many.
No more struggles, no more fears,
We will live forever with you in Our hearts.
Cherishing every memory and every moment that we were able to share and create with you.
Love you,
Aunt Tina
Deborah Howland
May 16, 2018
My one and only child, so pretty, may you rest in Gods house now, Mommy loved you.
Milli Kerner
May 16, 2018
Rest now angel. Your Demons are gone.
May 16, 2018
Praying for Everyone
Joan Jaccoi-Daniels
May 16, 2018
Ava I remember when you came by to visit with your Mom. I know u are up in Heaven with your Dad. Love you Ava
May 16, 2018
Our thoughts remain with you and your family at this time. We are honored by the trust and confidence you have placed in us during this difficult time.
- The Staff of James J. Dougherty Funeral Home
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2200 Trenton Rd, Levittown, PA 19056-1421
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