On September 29, 2019 the world and her family lost an amazing human being to a tragic accident at home. Amaya Eleanor Small was born on June 14, 2005 in New London, CT to Christopher and Lynne Small. Anyone around her was instantly taken by her beautiful brown eyes, long lashes, curly hair, infectious big smile, and natural kindness. She quickly found herself in the unique position of being a big sister at the ripe old age of 22 months to not one but two little sisters who she adored instantly. After all, she had been charged with the important task of talking to them and feeling them kick in her mama's belly. Amaya loved singing and dancing almost as much and as instantly as she loved her twin sisters, family and friends.
Amaya attended pre-kindergarten at S.B. Butler where she excelled and loved learning all of the simple things us foolish adults take for granted. At her pre-k graduation, the crowd of parents and staff cheered when she exclaimed she would be an astronaut. Amaya also took dance and gymnastics, which she loved. After pre-k she attended Northeast Academy where she made many lifetime friends and joined chorus, naturally, and later on took up the violin. She enjoyed all her subjects in school except math, of course. Yuck. But her favorite pastime was looking up at the stars with wonder. This wonder of the natural world was a big part of who Amaya was for the rest of her life. During her last few years at Northeast Academy, she was very happy to attend and catch the bus alongside her little sisters Adeline and Regina Small.
After graduating from Northeast Academy, she attended Cutler Middle School where she made many friends and was once again blessed to attend school alongside her sisters in her eighth grade year.
Amaya applied to and was accepted into Ella Grasso Technical High School. She was elated and enjoyed going through their summer program. Unlike most teenagers, she loved that they required uniforms and she was especially proud of her freshly purchased steel toe work boots. Amaya, in her short time at Grasso, blossomed into an incredible young lady. She loved everything from the plumbing program, to the electrical program, hairdressing, of course, and digital media. In Information Systems Technology, she made a personal business card for a company called "Before She Was Famous". Well, you are now, beautiful.
Amaya's life, although tragically cut far too short for anyone who loved her to comprehend, was full of love, laughter, and adventure. She appreciated everything and everyone. Her favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas, and her birthday, of course. Amaya loved her family without compare; she loved her sisters and her mom and dad. She brought joy to every aspect of their lives. The adventures, good times and laughter she made possible are too plentiful to articulate into words.
She is survived by her loving parents, Lynne and Christopher Small, who will cherish every precious moment she gave them until they meet again. Her sisters, Adeline and Regina Small, will forever long for every precious sisterly moment from playing games, going on adventures, gabbing like the little old ladies they are at heart and, YES, even the bickering over nothing in particular of which only sisters understand the importance.
She is also survived by grandparents Patricia and James Schuyler, Edward Small, and Lori Tracy; aunts Erica Mazzella and Stephanie Kuncas; cousins Lincoln Wright, Kinsley Mazzella, Rozalind Kuncas, and Maddox Mazzella as well as many uncles and other extended family and friends.
God, Amaya, how we wish you were still here to live the undeniable special life you would have undoubtedly had. Your beauty is eternal now, inside and out. We will see you in every sunset, feel you in every beautiful day at the beach, and hear you in every outburst of joy and laughter by those who love and miss you so. Rest easy, Amaya Eleanor Small. We will always love you beyond words.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 7, from 5 to 6:30pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 6:30pm at the funeral home. Burial will be private for the family.
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