FUNERAL SERVICES SET FOR NOON FIRDAYAbigail Grace Needham (5 and a half) passed away on December 27, 2013, surrounded by her father, mother, and sister at her bedside. Abby passed after a two-year battle against brain cancer.
Abby's beauty, character, charm, wit, and sense of humor are the main traits which magnetized over 17,000 followers and friends along her side during the rigorous battle. Abby will be remembered for her love of family, rainbows, and butterflies.
Her favorite destination was Disneyland and going to the beach. Her best toy was her security stuffed animal, "Piggy", who was her best friend. Abby loved the cartoon characters of Mickey Mouse and Caillou. Her favorite foods were Nacho Cheese Doritos, Mac and Cheese Shells, buttered bread, Eggo waffles, and clam chowder. Her favorite hobbies were painting and drawing, playing dress up, digging in the beach sand, and most importantly, dancing.
Abby's intelligence was beyond her age. She used vocabulary such as "hydrate" to say a plant was thirsty and "technique" while she was painting. She was able to teach even the smartest adult the facts of life, like how to bake, how to pretend, and how to love.
Abby's personality and charm were the ingredients that pulled people towards her life, inspiring everyone who was in her path to be better people and to look towards the better side of life. She always had a spring in her walk and always a wonderful attitude towards any obstacle. She never complained about her pain, even though the family knew she hurt.
Abby's intelligence was beyond her age. She used vocabulary such as "hydrate" to say a plant was thirsty and "technique" while she was painting. She was able to teach even the smartest adult the facts of life, like how to bake, how to pretend, and how to love.
Abby's personality and charm were the ingredients that pulled people towards her life, inspiring everyone who was in her path to be better people and to look towards the better side of life. She always had a spring in her walk and always a wonderful attitude towards any obstacle. She never complained about her pain, even though the family knew she hurt.
There are now students who are becoming nurses and doctors, adults who are reviewing their lifestyle, and children who play with more happiness because they have been touched by Abby’s drive to love and live.
Without the knowledge and guidance of the nurses and doctors from Children's Hospital Central California and Benioff Children's Hospital at UCSF, Abby would never have had the extra time alive with her family and friends. The family extends a special acknowledgement to Abby's oncologist, Dr. David Samuel, for his vigilance in care, comfort, and love. He is the prime example of the human spirit, working hard each day to search for the cure. He always said, “There is only one Abigail Grace.” Yes, there is only one Abigail Grace.
Abigail is survived by her parents, Duncan and Theresa Needham; her sister, Lillian Rose Needham; her grandparents, Michael and Nancy Needham and William and Jeanette Barnard; uncles and aunts, Benjamin Needham, Michael and Laura Barnard, Timothy and Jaqui Barnard, and Mark Barnard; and cousins, Joshua Barnard, Jonathan Barnard, and Madeline Barnard, among many extended relatives.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to send donations or remembrances to the following establishments:
Without the knowledge and guidance of the nurses and doctors from Children's Hospital Central California and Benioff Children's Hospital at UCSF, Abby would never have had the extra time alive with her family and friends. The family extends a special acknowledgement to Abby's oncologist, Dr. David Samuel, for his vigilance in care, comfort, and love. He is the prime example of the human spirit, working hard each day to search for the cure. He always said, “There is only one Abigail Grace.” Yes, there is only one Abigail Grace.
Abigail is survived by her parents, Duncan and Theresa Needham; her sister, Lillian Rose Needham; her grandparents, Michael and Nancy Needham and William and Jeanette Barnard; uncles and aunts, Benjamin Needham, Michael and Laura Barnard, Timothy and Jaqui Barnard, and Mark Barnard; and cousins, Joshua Barnard, Jonathan Barnard, and Madeline Barnard, among many extended relatives.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to send donations or remembrances to the following establishments:
- Children’s Hospital Central California, Oncology Dept.
- St. Baldrick’s Foundation
- Sweet Nectar Society
- Nancy Hinds Hospice
