Kaylen MarieAbarca 1988 ~ 2004
Kaylen Marie Abarca, age 16, passed away at home on September 25, in Tooele from complications due to Batten Disease. Kaylen was born September 7, 1988 in Poway, California to Sergio and Nanette Abarca. Kaylen will be greatly missed by all her family, friends and teachers. She was a remarkable young girl who kept her spunk and sense of humor in the face of a terrible disease that took away her sight, mobility, speech and finally her life. Kaylen loved school and enjoyed being with other children. She was happiest singing at school, listening to Disney movies at home or having her fingernails painted. Her family will always appreciate the love and care given to Kaylen by the staffs at Bay Park Elementary in San Diego, the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in Pittsburgh, Dan Peterson School in American Fork, Jordan Valley School in Salt Lake City, Topham Tiny Tots in Orem, West Jordan Care Center in West Jordan and finally Harmony Hospice of Tooele. Kaylen had the amazing gift of teaching patience and unconditional love to all of us. We are grateful to have had her in our lives. Kaylen is survived by her parents, Sergio and Nanette Abarca, her brothers, Jared, Tyler and Nicholas and her twin sisters Regan and Riley, all of Tooele; her grandparents Frank and Katie Newman and Luis and Soledad Abarca, all of Ramona, CA; and her great-grandmother Blanche Hall Cluff of Alexandria, VA. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins who all loved her very much. A viewing was held at Tate Mortuary on Monday, September 27, 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 28, at 10:00 a.m. at the Skyline LDS Ward, 1100 Skyline Dr. where friends may call from 9-9:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial in the Salt Lake City Cemetery next to her great grandfather Max Cluff. Contributions may be made in Kaylen's name to the Batten Disease Support and Research Association (bdsra.org). Hopefully, some day there will be a cure. Kaylen, we'll love you always.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 9/28/2004.