Fayetteville- Emerson Jean “Emmi” Barbaro,10, of 151 Ellerslie Dr., Fayetteville, NC died Thursday December 27, 2012, while sledding with her best friend and brother, Julian, and her two cousins, at their grandparents home in Dassel, MN. She is survived by her mother and father, Heather and Richard Barbaro; her 5 brothers: Ryan of Dexter, Michigan (his wife, Devon and children Andrew, Dane, Mae, Nora); Justin of Fayetteville (his fiancée, Callie); Brandon of Chapel Hill; Colin of Chapel Hill (his fiancée, Lauren); and Julian of Fayetteville. She is also survived by her grandparents, Barb and Craig Kay of Dassel, MN; Great grandparents, Orval and Alice Lea of Rushford, MN; Aunt Pamela and Uncle Eric Sandstede of Dassel, MN; Aunt Carrie and Uncle Joel Harmala, and cousins Greta, Ryan, and Darby of Pequot Lakes, MN; Aunt Leah Kay of Duluth, MN (her friend Michael Clark); Aunt Jeanette Bratti of Wantaugh, NY; Aunt Kathy and Uncle Charles Prentice of Inverness, FL.
Emmi only lived 10 short years, yet she touched the lives of many. She loved Jesus and she loved life! She woke up every day with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. She was a great soccer player for the Fayetteville Force; ran several 5K races; completed 2 triathlons; and loved to swim, tumble, and flip. She dreamed of competing in the Olympics one day; loved to sing; believed in Santa Claus; and savored the good in all people. She conquered her small world with luminous laughter and boundless energy. She was never ready for bed, but always the first one up to start a new day. There were few things that Emmi wasn’t truly good at. She welcomed any challenge with relentless determination. She was never afraid of defeat and win or lose, the result was always the same… a beaming smile from ear to ear. Her small frame carried a big personality and an even bigger heart.
Unfortunately, a tragic accident ended her life here on this earth. She now sings and plays for Our Lord in Heaven. We miss her so very much!
A celebration of life will be held at Manna Church (5117 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, NC 28314) on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at 6p.m. preceded by visitation from, 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the same location. Visitation will also be held on Thursday night, January 3, 2013, at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home from 6p.m. until 8 p.m.
Emmi had been trying to raise money for the American Heart Association. She would attend Julian's basketball games with her own handmade sign in the lobby in hopes of raising money. She was going to Jump Rope for Heart at her school Fayetteville Academy.
In the near future, we will be organizing an athletic event to honor Emmi.
We miss her terribly, but we know that we will see her again one day.
Tributes
Leave a tributeYou are forever with us.
The Smiths
Man I loved being your dad. You taught me so much about life; most especially, you taught me to slow down, hold hands, and savor God’s precious gifts.
I write this birthday wish with tears streaming down my cheeks, missing all you would have become.
Today we would have had a big party. Celebrating young adulthood. You would be pondering college and your future dreams. Would you play college soccer?
Instead we celebrate the gift you were to all those of us you graced with your presence. I love you Emmi. Happy Birthday to my forever little princess.
Tears and laughter often reverse their roles.
The world switches from big to small
depending on the uncertainties that surround us,
while comfort packs its bags and moves from place to place,
never leaving a forwarding address
But through the impermanence of people and feelings,
you stay, as warm and as forever
as children’s summer laughter.
YOU. REMAIN. A. PART. OF. MY. HEART.
the part that doesn’t get crushed
beneath the weight of time passing,
YOU’RE THE PART I GIVE THANKS FOR EVERYDAY!
The Dickerson Family
Love, The Dickerson Family
Love, The Billingsleys
Oh how we miss you. The world is just not the same without your smile, your laugh, your hugs, and your bright light. Thank you for teaching us how to be better people through love and kindness. Thank you for being Joel's friend. He misses your more than he will ever admit out loud. Thank you for sending the snow to us in Omaha this morning - it is all Joel wanted. Please give your brothers, Mom, and Dad extra strength today. They have the most indescribable pain and only your love can ease it. Help us all continue your legacy of making the world a better place. We love you sweet girl. We'll eat some Creme Brûlée in your honor today.
Love,
The Billingsleys
With love, John, Edwina, Justin, and Jalen Bellamy.
Lots and lots of hugs and kisses.
“She does not leave, she is not gone,
she looks upon us still.
She walks among the valleys now,
she strides upon the hill.
Her smile is in the summer sky,
her grace is in the breeze.
Her mem'ries whisper in the grass
her calm is in the trees.
Her light is in the winter snow,
her tears are in the rain.
Her merriment runs in the brook,
her laughter in the lane.
Her gentleness is in the flowers
her sigh in autumn leaves.
She does not leave, she is not gone,
'Tis only we that grieve.”
I wanted you to know that I am keeping all of you in my heart today.
Emmi brought so may gifts into this world. She touched everyone who knew her. I cannot believe she has been gone for a year. I think of your family and Emmi so often, and although this day reminds me of her passing last year, it has also given me an opportunity to revisit some wonderful memories I have of her. I remember seeing Emmi at the Reindeer run last year and telling her how much I loved her costume. She flashed me a big, toothy grin and we giggled together. She always made me smile.
--Sending you thoughts of peace and courage to all of you and lifting each of you up in prayer.
Great job yesterday at the academy. It was a lovely tribute to Emmi and your words were very touching. It was heart breaking to see her classmates so upset but it also shows how much they love and miss Emmi. People never forget kindness and Emmi was a walking bundle of kindness a gift she got from you two. Thanks for all you guys do !
Our hearts go out to you in you loss. Truly God has a new Angel to look over you,
Martha & Ned
Joe and Violet Dowd
I am so sorry for the loss of your beatiful girl. I know she was an amazing person. She is missed and will always be! your family is in my prayers. She is a beautiful little angel now. She's in a better place now. Thank you Emmi for all the lives you touched.
Leave a Tribute
You are forever with us.
The Smiths
mom and I spent the night at the condo. I believe it was the earliest time of the year that I took the boat out. 70 degrees on January 27. I cruised down the waterway to Grand Dunes, then turned around slowly enjoying the beauty of the morning. The water was glass, no wind, and very little boat traffic. It was an exceptional morning, spent thinking of you and your love of the water. I miss you!
Easter Sunday
Happy Easter sweet Emm