Abigail J. Gross
Died May 7, 2015

LELAND — Abigail Joy Gross, an irrepressible and independent girl whose laughter embroidered the lives of those she loved with stars, died on May 7 at her home in Leland Township. She was 15. The cause was brain cancer. Abby was born on Sept. 23, 1999 in Traverse City to parents, Jeanne and Christian Gross.

After her diagnosis in 2010 Abby's life became very focused; she loved attending Leland Public School and being with the friends who loved her so well, endured frequent travel to Chicago, where she received tremendous care at Lurie Children's Hospital and cherished hours spent at Blue Oxer Farm, where she escaped and dreamed of her future as a professional equestrian.

For obvious reasons Abby understood the need to live her life on fast-forward, and there was nothing that she loved more than the feeling of the wind in her face. Whether riding her beloved horse, Tiger Lily, in the hunt ring, racing down the ski hill or flying through the air on a trapeze, Abby wanted only to go higher and faster.

Abby taught us that bravery was not the absence of fear but rather the strength to keep on going forward despite the fear. She walked in an atmosphere of things about to happen, braved the difficulties she faced with spirit and grit and invaded the lives of those she loved, using charm, moxie - and relentless determination - to get where she wanted to go.

Abby realized early on that it isn't the great big pleasures that count the most; it is making a great big deal out of the little ones that give us true happiness. She chose joy and kept on choosing it despite her illness. This is the lesson she leaves with her family and friends, the Leelanau community and the hundreds she touched throughout the world during her life's journey.

Abby is survived by her parents, Christian and Jeanne (McClure) Gross, of Leland; her sisters, Carly and Savannah; her grandparents, Tom and Nancy Gross, of Leland, and the Rev. Mary McClure, of Traverse City; her aunts and uncles, Aaron and Kerri (McClure) Wosek, of Traverse City, Tom and Kelly Gross, of Fenton, and Jerry and Kati Gross, of Grand Rapids; her cousins, Emily, Brett, Alicia, Chloe and Paul; and her dear friends, Jim and Kathryn Balcerski, of Lake Leelanau.

Her grandfather, Richard McClure, preceded her in death.

A celebration of Abby's life will be held Monday, June 22, at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow, at the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City. The Reverend Becky Chamberlain will officiate. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Leland Educational Foundation, 200 N. Grand Avenue, Leland, MI or Camp Henry, 5575 Gordon Ave., Newaygo, MI 49337; www.camphenry.org .
Kindly sign Abby's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . Abby's family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.