Ember Olivia Skinner

Olaf said it best: “Some people are just worth melting for,” and Ember is worth melting for.

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From the moment she was born, everyone fell in love with Ember. She arrived on May 23, 2014 in Elko, Nevada. Her mom and dad adored her, and her brother was promoted to the best big brother in the world right away. Ember was a happy baby. From the time she was born she showed her family unconditional love. Even her doctors would comment on how she was so loving.

Ember’s personality was always big, and her sense of humor developed very early. She would confidently tell anyone who called her a “baby” that she was not a baby, she’s “Emmer.”

Ember was very smart. She knew her colors, was able to recite ABCs and could even write some letters of the alphabet by the time she was 2 years old. She also developed a deep love for music as a baby and toddler. She often sang, “Jesus Loves Me” by heart.

When Ember was 2 Utah became her home. She often explored outside and loved swimming. She gravitated to water in any form and would throw rocks into water for hours.

It was at the age of 2 ½ that Ember suffered her first seizure. Her seizures would continue to progress, so Ember began the fight of her life. Ember’s condition would rob her of so many things, including her speech, some motor skills, independence and traditional milestones. It wasn’t until she was 7 that she was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastau syndrome. The syndrome explained many of Ember’s symptoms. But it was her determined personality, love for her family and sense of humor that carried her and her family through the hardest of times. Ember’s condition was very hard on her, but she never stopped smiling and trying. She was the toughest little girl.

While Ember could not communicate in the traditional sense, she still managed to tell you anything and everything, sometimes with just a look. She was incredibly smart. Ember knew she was cute. She knew how to wrap just about anyone around her finger to get a drink, some cheese or some popcorn. She had mastered the signs for thirsty and hungry.

Ember’s brother Porter was her favorite person. He helped take care of her from the moment he met her. He knew just how to play with her, cheer her up and tease her. Porter is her best friend.

Ember had a passion for Disney movies and characters. More specifically, she loved Frozen, Moana and Up, Coco, Zootopia and Minnie Mouse. Watching the movies with her favorite characters brought her great joy, and she often shared that joy with others by showing them her toys, books and even grabbing their faces and pointing their head towards the TV to watch the show with her. If Disney was a gospel, Ember was converting people daily.

Ember was full of joy; just ask her teachers and family. Every time she’d go to school she’d let out a very loud happy squeal announcing her arrival. She loved school. She loved making friends and expanding her world. Ember loved to tease, and once she figured out how to say “boo” she would scare anyone she came across.

Ember filled our lives. She showed excitement for life each and every day. Everything was an adventure with Ember.

Ember passed on February 5, 2022 after suffering a seizure. Her absence is unbearable. Our lives revolved around her every day. She is survived by her dad, Jon; her mother, April Weidow; her brother, Porter; her stepmom, Robin; her stepdad, Grover; her aunts, Shantelle and Trista; and her grandparents, Donna, Suzanne and Wayne. Ember is now with her grandpa, Jon; her great grandma, Vera; and countless other family members holding her in their arms.

Services for Ember will be held Friday, February 11th, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. The viewing will be held from 12:30 – 1:45pm. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm.