Dear Kellie,

Our hearts are breaking for you and your family over the loss of your beautiful daughter! Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers now and will continue to be in the days and months and years to come.

Sincerely,

Ron & Sondra Long

Sydney was our beautiful little neighbor as the Griffith family lived across the street in our Merritt Island Florida Neighborhood for years.  She would walk to the bus stop with us every morning and it was a delight to see her grow and be a part of her interests, projects and hobbies.  She was unique, bright, adventurous and loving.  We loved seeing her creative costumes every Halloween and always looked forward to seeing the family on Christmas Caroling Night.   Her eyes were bright and her smile was beautiful.  May she Rest In Peace.  Sydney will always be in our hearts and our memories.  We are thinking and praying for the entire Griffith Family.  Sending love and sympathy.  Kara, Tim, Alanna and Ava Boyd

Sydney was one of the very first friends I ever had when I went to Tropical on my first day, I have all sorts of memories with her that are flooding back to me now as I'm writing this.  She was one of kindest, most outgoing people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, she was never afraid to be herself, and the world is better off for it. Sydney taught my little first grade self that being unique and yourself is something worth celebrating, and I'll always carry the wacky and wonderful memories I have with her throughout my life, her life an inspiration to my own. I remember being so excited to see her at recess, and silently cheering to myself when we were put on the same FPS team over the other kids (sorry guys, I love you all too). I remember dancing to Take On Me in the parking lot of an ice cream shop in Orlando, one that because of her I still love to visit to this day every time I'm around. I remember Sydney being the first girl I ever truly believed didn't have cooties, and thinking she was the cutest girl I'd ever seen throughout elementary school.  I remember getting in trouble for talking too much in Ms. Goodson's class in 2nd grade, but I still think she should've appreciated that we were just free spirited. I will always look back on my first years of school and be thankful to have called her one of the best friends I ever had, and will always carry those memories with me wherever life may take me. I love you and miss ya kid, rest in power <3

Our hearts are broken over Sydney's
passing.  We will forever miss her. May she rest in peace. 


“You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own.” -Dullinger

Sydney and I met three years ago when she made an appointment to visit my GT classroom and ask why she should consider registering for my class the following year. In other words, she wanted me to sell my program to her. I remember my heart smiling, and thinking, “This child is something special; she’s not just gifted.” Hoping to nurture her curious spirit, I dove into my pitch, even explaining the research behind every strategy I incorporated in the gifted classroom. In the end, she nodded and said, “Well, this sounds like a class very worthwhile for me.” Then, she crossed her arms, looked around to evaluate every inch of the classroom—even the ceiling—and said, “Yes, I think I will sign up for your class next year. Plus, this room has a very nice feel, very positive aura. I’ve made my decision.” She then concluded with her unique way of saying, “UM hmm!” The accent was always on the first syllable. She always nodded once on the first syllable. 
The rest was history. Syd introduced me to her wonderful brother, Alex, and the three of us soon formed a lunch bunch. We never really had lunch, choosing instead to share stories about our experiences, ethics, philosophy, how to best solve world issues…Needless to say, both Alex and Sydney’s names are forever etched in my heart, and I consider myself blessed that our paths crossed.
In this mosaic world, Sydney was the light shining through to help us see colors we might never have noticed. Now that our hearts, too, are mosaics—broken and fragile—let us remember the beautiful light that lives within them, that swath of Sydney light. 


Sydney truly was a bright star in this world.  I have loved keeping track of her and Alex's adventures through Kellie's Facebook shares.  Our family thoroughly enjoyed our time visiting and staying with Kellie, Alex, and Sydney in Florida, where Syd graciously gave up her bedroom for my girls to sleep in while we visited. Sydney led us on evening walks down to a dock to see the dolphins and enjoy the beautiful Florida evenings.  Having grown up near the ocean, she was eager to share it with my girls who were experiencing it for the first time.  It was a experience our family will never forget.  Sydney's beautiful soul will never be forgotten.

I met Sydney 10 years ago when I started working at PAFB. She was a wonderfully fun young lady whose spirit and humor graced our halls at times. I have had the joy of seeing her grow up over the years. While I was not closely involved in the family, I had enough interaction with Sydney to know that she was well-loved. She was a talented young lady. I would often read Kellie's FB page to see the next adventures of Sydney and Alex.  Her musical gifts and thirst for life were evident in her exciting interactions in the world. She will always be a bright star. I am sure she is laughing and singing in heaven and bringing her soft laugh to all those she entertains.  

I will keep all of your family in my heart and prayers as you continue to heal.  Hugs and prayers to you all. 

Steve, Kellie and Alex: Words alone can not possibly convey the amount of love I’m sending your way during this difficult time. I remember visiting Sydney in the hospital shortly after she was born. I remember holding her. I remember being pregnant with Kellie while raising our 2 year olds.  I remember Alex placing his little hand on Kellie’s belly, feeling his little sister’s movements. Throughout Sydney’s childhood, I’ve enjoyed living vicariously through pictures of a wide array of adventures and experiences. I’ve watched video clips of her guitar playing and ukulele fun, pics of hiking tall peaks and scuba diving and travels to many exotic places. Whenever I’ve had conversations with either Steve or Kellie, it’s obvious how much you both lived in awe of her adventurous spirit, her intelligence and her inherent compassion. You love Sydney and Alex with all your heart. It shows. It’s also clear Alex is a wonderful big brother who has shared in so much of Sydney’s life adventures. My heart aches for you. May Sydney’s light guide you through this time. May her spirit give you the strength and courage you need to heal. 

OBITUARY

Sydney Griffith

Born FEBRUARY 13, 2004

Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Memorial Park Cemetery/Columbia

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