Kira Jaye Serisky

Born in Shelburne, VT on July 9, 2003 Departed on February 7, 2021 and resided in Shelburne, VT

On Sunday, February 7th, 2021, our beautiful, sweet Kira Jaye (KJ) Serisky passed away peacefully after a long, painful, and courageous battle with complications related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, with her loving mother and father, Marge and Pete Serisky, holding her in their arms.

Kira was born on July 9th, 2003 in Burlington, Vermont. From almost the day she could walk, skiing became second nature as she grew up a part of the Sugarbush community. She led an adventurous childhood, exploring the woods and waters with her mom, who took her on many "girls" adventures. Always in search of salamanders, crayfish, pollywogs, frogs, and other creatures, she relished in the wonders and joy of nature, whether it be investigating skat, having a butterfly land on her head, or saving a spider or insect from an ill fate. A gentle and passive soul, she determinedly went vegetarian after a day spent with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center at age 8 and never looked back.

Special moments with dad included: building robots, flying kites, discussing adventures on ski patrol, confidently skiing any trail whether it be groomed, bumps, or wooded (and then waiting for mom at the bottom), sharing their wonderful sense of humor and logical thought processing skills, and, at a younger age, turning up the music loud and dancing around the den.

Kira loved playing in any body of water, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, tubing, jumping off the boat and docks, and picnicking with family and friends. As a little girl, she loved cartwheeling and doing handstands whether she was in a swimsuit, a pretty dress, or in ski boots; she was a gifted athlete and loved a variety of sports - soccer, gymnastics, driveway basketball and front yard soccer with her parents - but most of all, downhill skiing.

The family adventures were endless, including extensive travel throughout the country and internationally, visiting and camping on remote islands, snorkeling some of the most beautiful locations in the world, and countless ski adventures. She loved camping with her parents, annual camping trips with close family friends, backyard camping trips with friends, and particularly enjoyed a much-treasured coastal backpacking trip in Olympic National Park with her parents, cherished cousin Allie, and "Uncle Duncle" David.

At age 12, she followed in her Dad's footsteps and became a member of the Sugarbush Jr. Ski Patrol, and finally got to achieve her dream to race on Cochran's ski team. A favorite annual tradition was racing in the Vertical Challenge; two of her proudest moments were placing 2nd at the Vertical Challenge final championships in 2016, and later placing 1st as an adaptive sled skier in 2017. After this time, Kira continued to maintain and grow her friendships with the event crew members.

From a young age, it was clear that she had an extraordinary intellect, excelling at anything she put her mind to. At the age of 7, she began playing the euphonium, and due to her exceptional talent and the nurturing of her dedicated mentor, she was invited to join the UVM Brass Ensemble and perform with college students as a 7th grader.

Kira had a love and joy for life, for friendships, neighbors, for family, all animals, and mostly for her parents, who were her fiercest advocates and unwavering supporters of all her undertakings. She enjoyed giving to all who were beloved and special to her, whether it be a beautifully written letter with a custom self-designed envelope covered in her thoughtful artwork, a craft, a special treat, a meal, or a homemade ice cream birthday cake or pie made with love.

She lived her life with an inspiring dynamism; as her illness progressed much of the physicality that had characterized her earlier years was no longer feasible, but ever the pragmatist, Kira was not to be defeated. When her illness precluded her from living one passion, she would quickly find another, and tackle it with an equal voracity. She became an honorary member of the UVM Women's Basketball team, attending games and practices against all odds, much to the delight of her adoring adopted sisters who often visited her at home to just hang out, or to share artistic skills in annual Easter egg decorating. One of Kira's most cherished memories is when the entire team piled into her room to visit her while she was inpatient in NYC. They decorated her windows in artwork created with window crayons, then played games which brought much laughter and healing to all.

Kira's steadfast love for all animals (especially cats) inspired her to begin fostering kittens. She maintained a thriving Instagram account with nearly 13,000 fans, allowing her to save, nurture, and rehome over 40 rescued kittens. Many of "Kira's Kittens" were neonates who required intensive medical care and feeding regimens. Through her efforts, she raised awareness of the life-saving difference that foster parents make in the life of an abandoned, sick, or orphaned animal. She updated her fans on the latest kitten menagerie with weekly poetry posts, affectionately dubbed "Rhyme Time Tuesdays", and challenged them with her tenacious slogan, "If I can do it, you can too." A dream achieved through fostering, was to meet "Kitten Lady". At their very first meeting in 2018, they quickly formed a bond. At that time, she also met two other advocates; over the next few years, they became far more than mentors to Kira and are now determined to carry on her legacy, with a unique fund currently in development under the Orphan Kitten Club organization.

Kira was an ambassador for Make-A-Wish Vermont, who made her dream of a galaxy themed kitten fostering bedroom come true in 2019, and also for The PETCO Foundation. In these roles she utilized her natural speaking and writing abilities to fundraise for children awaiting a wish, and at-risk kittens. In what remained of her free time, Kira participated in a volunteer internship at River Cove Animal Hospital, where she impressed the staff with her enthusiasm and nurturing instincts, and developed life-changing friendships. When she wasn't mothering a litter of "Krazy Kittens", she was mixing up various culinary creations, listening to podcasts, and staying in touch with her friends through her artistically created cards, letters, and homemade gifts. She loved to accompany her voice with a self-designed and hand-painted galaxy themed ukulele, and though she was shy about showcasing her musical talent, those who were lucky enough to have a personal concert can attest to it. Those who know her would describe her as an independent thinker with a thirst for knowledge who had a positive impact on thousands, many of which she had never even met. She had an infectious giggle and an amazing ability to maintain a happy-go-lucky attitude in the face of adversity; her physical tribulations often seemed to fuel her refreshingly blunt sense of humor and unparalleled wit. She met her every challenge with a confident, inner strength and maturity that you would be hard-pressed to find in most adults. Admired and respected by her numerous friends, fans, fostering peers, medical advocates, UVM basketball teammates, proud health aids, and all the rest of "Team Kira", Kira was an extraordinarily beloved and loving girl who will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all, including her many chosen sisters (and a few brothers) who she will always stand beside.

Kira is survived and greatly missed by her parents Marge and Pete Serisky, her furry friends Arminius and Maple Serisky, her aunt Michelle and uncle Bryan Stevens, aunt Kim Campbell, cousins Allie Serisky, Jessie Serisky, and Alexander Henderson, step grandmother Ilene Gerber, and great aunt and uncle Joyce and Sal Monforte Kira is predeceased by grandfather Ransford Brown, cousin Chad Brown, paternal grandparents Melvin and Joan Serisky, her Uncle David Serisky, and great aunt and uncle Gloria and Ed Rapp.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Kira's primary care physician, Dr Tina D'Amato, who not only managed Kira's care and coordination with her specialists, but was both an advocate and supporter in enabling Kira to live her best life. We are also forever grateful to her medical specialists who, beyond their wonderful medical care, all truly cared about Kira and our family.

While it is difficult for us not to immediately honor Kira with the ceremony that she deserves due to the current limits on social gatherings, it is anticipated her memorial service will tentatively take place this summer. At Kira's request, she will become part of nature by providing the earth with a living urn and the planting of an apple tree in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Orphan Kitten Club ( https://orphankittenclub.org/donate/one-time/ ) - A legacy scholarship fund is being developed by the Orphan Kitten Club to honor Kira and her mission of kitten rescue.

OR

Make-A-Wish Vermont - 6655 Shelburne Rd Ste 300, Shelburne, VT 05482

https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_today&chid=069-000