Caroline Natalie Richards

Caroline Natalie Richards, greatly beloved and treasured 12 year old daughter of Mark and Lauren Richards, died January 9th of osteosarcoma, a devastating and aggressive bone cancer. She was gifted with an infectious smile, playful sense of humor, and a warrior spirit. She fought as hard as she could for survival and lived a year and six days after her diagnosis.

Caroline attended Highland Park Elementary School and Hyde Park Middle School where she was always surrounded by friends. She was athletic and especially loved playing soccer, volleyball and basketball--even in high heels. She loved Giant hairbows, anything monogrammed, shopping, singing, sports, "selfies," "bling," her labradoodles, Olive and Talulah, and social media, where she was wildly popular on Instagram and Twitter.

She was a happy child who was always there for the underdog, for her friends and family; always upbeat, even as she suffered through a year of unsuccessful cancer treatment. Her trademark was a smile that never stopped. Even when she was nearing the end of her life she still loved hanging out with friends and having fun. She hosted a last minute New Year's Eve party, complete with DJ, where she sang and danced far into the night. To say she was a generous child who spread much joy is an understatement.

The day before she died, she was so proud to be named one of the five Ambassadors of the St. Baldrick's Foundation, representing the faces of pediatric cancer. This foundation funds pediatric cancer research and gives support to families. Caroline's family requests that donations be made to the St. Baldrick's Foundation in Caroline's name, specifically for osteosarcoma research. https://www.stbaldricks.org/fundraisers/mypage/839/2015

Caroline is survived by her parents, Lauren and Mark Richards; her grandparents, Jane and Lawrence Graham; aunts and uncles, Merrell Anne and Art Shearer, Ginny and Greg Carroll, all of Austin, Katherine and David Lugar, of McLean, VA, Marla and Paul Richards, Lisa and Kenny Porter, of Orlando, FL; and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 17, at St. David's Episcopal Church located at 301 E. 8th Street, Austin, TX, 78701.