Avani was born on December 3, 2009, in Nashville, Tennessee. During her childhood, she lived in Nashville, Seattle, and the Chicago area. Before she turned thirteen, she had traveled to twenty countries, developing an appreciation for different cultures and experiences.
She was described by others as sweet, loving, caring, beautiful, fun, funny, intelligent, independent, strong, caring, considerate and brave.
Avani loved animals from a very young age, around seven years of age she decided she wanted to be “animal scientist”, as she got older her love for animals just grew. Around age of nine on her own she decided that she wanted to be a vegetarian, she just could not be the reason for animals or environment being harmed.
As she grew older her thinking evolved, she wanted to be an animal geneticist, more recently she decided she wanted to study Evolution Biology focused on Birds, her passion for animals was always there. She loved going to farm camps, staying on the farm, doing farm chores, interacting with goats and chickens. She named two goats (Nutella and Star), she would go back to the farm as often as possible to see them.
She was a good friend to everyone, a great close friend to few. A wonderful granddaughter, fun cousin, respectful niece, a loving sister, and best daughter anyone could ask for. She enjoyed time with family and friends. Every year we take a family trip to a new location. It did not matter to her as to where we went, for her it was more important as to who came. It was the same with her friends, it was more important for her to spend time with her friends versus the activity they were doing. She had a hard time picking her favorite trip, but always remembered her time based on the activities and who was around. Horseback riding was one of her favorite activities while on vacation.
Avani shared a classic sibling dynamic with her only brother, characterized by both affection and moments of mutual irritation. Their care for one another was evident, often expressed through playful teasing. Her older brother demonstrated a strong sense of protectiveness toward Avani, maintaining the belief that while he could jest with his sister, it was not acceptable for others to do so.
A lot of common things with her mother, had similar tastes and likes, enjoyed shopping for sake of shopping, enjoyed little things in life, laidback attitude. Took inspiration from her mom to become vegetarian at age of nine. They both enjoyed browsing through shops. Black Friday shopping tradition of mom-daughter early morning wakes up and shopping until late afternoon.
Avani and her father had a great relationship of extremes, they had lots of fun together, sometime pushing it too far. She labeled him most annoying person she knew; a title her dad wears with pride.
Avani’s nature was to be selfless and giving, she was kind to everyone and never spoke badly about anyone. She had an innate ability to sense the mood of the room and ensure everyone felt comfortable. She would make new kids at school feel welcomed and put them at ease. She regularly volunteered at the village block party, school functions, fundraising events, and any other opportunity she came across.
Avani was a talented artist. She was super proud to have published three of her paintings. She used art to relax and just enjoy her time at home. She would create art for herself but also to give to others, she made paintings for family, friends and even her doctors and nurses at the hospital. She enjoyed playing drums and was in multiple bands, she tried other instruments but always stuck with drums. She enjoyed listening to variety of music, she was proud of her 25-hour long playlist.
She was diagnosed with cancer in early September of 2022; over the following seventeen months until her passing on January 29,2024, she taught us about bravery and courage. She was so strong through her treatments, rounds of chemo, multiple surgeries, radiation, and weekly blood draws. Many people were unaware that she was sick, she only told her closest friends. She would go to school between her treatments; she just didn’t want any attention. She never complained, she never let the illness define her or slow her down. She was so sweet to all the doctors and nurses, perhaps and kindest and most cooperative patient ever. She was never angry about the situation. I do not think most of us would be as graceful as her in a similar situation. She fought this miserable disease until the end, we are so proud of her, she continues to be an inspiration to her family, friends and anyone else who knew her.