Summer Rand Steele

2007 - 2016

PLAINFIELD - Summer Rand Steele, 9, was born in Greenfield, MA on September 26, 2007 and raised in Plainfield, MA. She attended Ashfield Community Preschool and Sanderson Academy where she was in third grade at the time of her passing.
True to her name, Summer had a fun and sunny personality. She loved nature and being outdoors, especially if it involved working in the garden with her family or caring for her bunnies, chickens, cows, three barn kitties, her dog Ollie, or her new little kitten. She had a special fondness for growing sunflowers and catching butterflies, and she loved to dangle earthworms in mommy's face!
Summer was a natural athlete who enjoyed playing baseball and soccer, fishing with her Daddy, Mommy and sister, swimming, riding her bike and scooter, and hula-hooping! She was very proud to have won and placed in the Ashfield Rod & Gun Youth Fishing Derby more than once through the years (she won so many fishing poles she could've started a business!), and to have won many medals in the Hilltown Junior Olympics. She was equally comfortable in cleats as in a sparkly tutu. One of Summer's most beloved activities was dancing and performing with Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts, where she made many close friends. Summer's friends were especially important to her and she enjoyed making new ones. Some of her best times were having fun with her closest friends Hailey, Cammie, Ellie, Saige, Lexi, Cleome, and Irelyn, as well as her many, many other special friends. Summer recently celebrated her 9th birthday in true Summer style with a sleepover dance party.
The Steele family made many beautiful memories together on their annual trips to Islesboro, Maine, a place that Summer loved dearly. She enjoyed every bit of being by the ocean, from clamming to fishing off her dear friend Earl's dock, and she was passionate about finding heart-shaped stones to add to her collection. This past summer in Maine she tried kayaking for the first time; she loved it and was an absolute natural.
A sensitive, compassionate, insightful and sentimental child, Summer enjoyed helping to decorate for holidays, listening to music and writing lists to help her Mommy. She happily kept a daily morning routine of cozy blankets and cartoons after feeding her bunnies. Summer was very bright and had a great sense of humor and an amazing memory; she enjoyed school, her special teachers, and learning how to do new things.
She had an unbreakable bond with her Uncle Adam who was her biggest fan. Summer was like a daughter to him and he gave her his undivided love and attention. They loved to take selfies whenever they were together. Summer and Grammi Bun-Bun were frequent companions; Grammi enjoyed Summer's relentless, affectionate teasing with her sister, Skyler, and the giggles that it elicited at Grammi & Terry's house. She was blessed to have her Great-Grandparents, Grammie Millie and Papa, in her life and she lit up their world as they continuously reminded her. Summer and Skyler spent countless hours together making up dances and games, and jumping on their trampoline; the two were affectionately referred to by their family as our "Summer Sky". Summer and her Mommy were two peas in a pod and Summer was Mommy's rock. She adored listening to Mommy's music and singing together at the top of their lungs. Summer loved to keep Daddy on track with his chores, especially Dump Day. She loved to ride with him in his truck, "Big Red", and on his tractor. Endless love and endless memories.
Summer leaves her loving parents Amanda (Gaffigan) & Brent Steele, and her loyal and adoring younger sister, Skyler, of Plainfield. She also leaves her maternal grandmother, Margaret ("Bunny") Doneilo and her partner, Terry Doton of Greenfield, MA, her paternal grandmother, Katherine Verderber of Fort Myers, FL, great-grandparents William & Mildred Gaffigan of Shelburne Falls, her beloved Uncle Adam Gaffigan of Shelburne Falls, her very special Uncle Clifton Steele and his partner Dara Blanc of Fort Myers, FL. As well, she leaves many Great-Aunts and Uncles: Deborah (Gaffigan) & Garret Benson, Tom & Mary Gaffigan, Hollis ("Jack") Andrews, Nancy Madden and Marjorie Taylor, and several special cousins including: Katelyn Gaffigan, Joshua Benson and his daughter Hailey (who was not just a cousin but also one of Summer's best friends and her partner in crime), Peter, Angela, Nicholas & Connor Andrews, Melissa Graves and her son, Nathan Leger, and Cindy Sall. She also leaves her Godparents Travis and Christie Niles
Summer was predeceased by her maternal grandfather, Michael T. Gaffigan (1994), her paternal grandfather, Randall H. Steele (2006) and Great-Grammie Peg (Margaret) Hubbard (2009).
Calling hours are Thursday evening from 5-7 at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home in Shelburne Falls.
A celebration of life service will be held Friday, Nov. 4, at 2:00 pm at Trinity Church in Shelburne Falls. A private burial will be held in Arms Cemetery following the service. All are invited to gather at the Shelburne Falls Eagles Club for time to reflect following the burial.
Memorials contributions may be made payable to Mohawk Trail School District/Summer Steele Scholarship Fund, ATTN: Angel Bragdon, 24 Ashfield Rd. Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
To send a condolence please visit smithkelleherfuneralhome.com