Amaya Nelson

Amaya Ruth Nelson entered our world at 2:47 pm on November 10, 2014 by way of her parents Steven and Shindale, weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces. She would leave us just over 9 years later on January 8, at 8:30 am, as her form of cancer, neuroblastoma, was just too aggressive and determined to win the fight for her physical body. While her time with us was short, she left a full lifetime of memories and love with us all.

From the beginning, Amaya loved to be active. She would spend endless hours at neighborhood parks, enjoying the freedom of moving her body outdoors. As she began to have a more intimate knowledge of self, realizing her likes and loves, this morphed into endless hours of tobogganing in the winter, and full days at the pool in the summer. Yes, this little scorpio loved her some water. Not only to play and swim in, but it was her go-to beverage and she also loved herself some seafood.

At home, she was a creative force, who loved to craft, draw, colour and paint. She was a builder, who loved to create scenes with her Lego sets. It was pure joy to watch her brain organize pieces and put them together with pride, gleaming at her accomplishments. She was truly a creative genius, who was only just beginning to embody her intelligence. If you spoke with her or watched YouTube with her, you could see it shine through her questions, commentary and humor.

Amaya Ruth was sweet and spicy. She took her time with people and did not like to be pushed. If she was not feeling you, she was quiet and reserved. She was not quick to give away her sugar. For those blessed to be close to her, we really valued this, because if she really liked you, you absolutely knew it. She was not a person you had to try hard to impress. If you interested her and were genuine, she would see it. When she let down her walls and let you into her heart, you were a lifetime member of her club, as many of us know.

She valued her family and loved ones, and she had no problem finding her space amongst, her grandmother Joy, her siblings Shimyka, Shyeena, Destiny and Roshane and her nieces and nephews Shaleena, Amari, Kaija, and Kyrie. She extended her love beyond them, to the partners of her loved ones including Corben, Anthony, Satteva, Mahieve and Derrick, reminding everyone that they all have a unique place in her heart. An example of this was when the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation asked her what it is she wanted, if she could have anything in the world, she asked for a Christmas party, with a decorated house, filled with her family (yes, she made a guest list) and food (and she made a menu).

While this stage is for Amaya and not for her cancer, we would be remiss, if we did not mention her warrior spirit. She rarely complained about her illness, and battled through pain like a champ, refusing pain medication on the majority of occasions. She did not love being in the hospital or taking meds, but she did enjoy her medical team, hospital and support staff and all that they did to bring her comfort and joy. This included the many gifts, tickets for events, and special visitors that they arranged to see her for which we are extremely grateful.

Amaya would like to thank all of you for your donations, condolences, well wishes and all the many ways you have supported her and her family.

Our angel Amaya was our champion. She was our Muhammed Ali. She was simply “the greatest”.

Visitations for Amaya will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM & from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Collins Clarke MacGillivray White, 5610 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, QC H4A1W5. A visitation will occur Friday, January 19, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00, followed by the funeral service at 12:00 PM.