It is with a heavy heart that I inform everyone that my granddaughter, Ayanna Kucera, was called Home on Monday, January 27, 2025. If you were in the office when Ayanna was here, you would know it. Her light and radiance permeated the walls of this office. She touched everyone's lives in her own unique way and was truly a force of nature. Her personality was such that she always did things her way. Right or wrong, she was opinionated and vocal, but she always had everyone's back and their best interests at heart. She was a staunch advocate for patients' health. Although I am seen primarily as a dentist, I have always fought for my patients' overall health through my profession, whether patients wanted it or not. Ayanna was always a driving force behind that mission. She advocated for every patient's health not just as part of her job but because she had a vested interest in good health, fighting relentlessly for it herself.

As you have come to know me, you know that I have always had a special place in my heart and in my practice for those with special needs. Ayanna had a unique way of connecting and communicating with our special needs patients, even when they were unable to communicate verbally. If you ever witnessed it, you saw magic.

Ayanna was a fighter in more ways than one. It was not uncommon to hear her and me in a heated conversation at the office. It wasn't that we were ever at odds with each other; rather, we were both passionately fighting for the same cause, just from two different perspectives. She is and forever will be my granddaughter, business partner, and most importantly, my best friend. At 26 years old, she possessed more energy, a more positive attitude, and greater fortitude than many people three times her age—and I should know, as I am three times her age. People often ask why I still practice dentistry at my age. The answer is simple: I love what I do, and I love my patients. Sure, it's a bit harder to get my body moving in the right direction, but I could always count on Ayanna to give me a push, keeping me on track. Her life was what kept me going. She fought bravely against a daunting adversary—cancer. Until her last breath, she was still fighting, forever focused on the belief that she would walk out of all the hospitals, treatments, and eventually hospice, cancer-free. And she succeeded. Today, she is cancer-free. She is at peace. Soon, we will be too. But for now, I am continually reminded that I lost more than my granddaughter; I lost my best friend. I will close by sharing a poem Ayanna recently received from her friend and mentor:

Donations in Ayanna's memory may be made to the Ride Janie Ride Foundation, which provides direct financial assistance to individuals facing hardships resulting from medical treatment for cancer. Ayanna was a recipient of their generosity.

Contributions may also be made to the Special Smiles Foundation, supporting dental care for individuals with special needs.

Ayanna's obituary is on the Norris-Segert Funeral Home website at: www.norrissegertfh.com