Mackenzie Anastasia Ruston “Kenzie”, age 17, beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, teammate and friend, passed away suddenly on January 4, 2016 near Alpine, WY.
Born in Chapel Hill, NC on January 5, 1998, Kenzie was a senior at East Chapel Hill High School. She most recently fulfilled her dream of earning her private pilot’s license.
On the cusp of a brilliant future, Kenzie’s life centered on her passions: family, friends, jump rope and flying. She was a 13-year member and current co-captain of the Bouncing Bulldogs Jump Rope Team, to which she dedicated her heart and soul. Kenzie earned global respect and admiration as a hardworking, talented, disciplined and humble athlete. She was deeply committed to being a mentor and a positive influence to young people. Kenzie lived more in her 17 years with us than most do in a lifetime.
An adventurous spirit, Kenzie excelled at whatever she committed her heart to: jump rope, flying, snow skiing, water skiing, tennis. Her coach called her one of the greatest jumpers in the world: a 7-time Grand National Jump Rope Champion and a 5-time World Jump Rope Champion. She was eagerly awaiting her 18th birthday to experience her first skydiving lesson.
Kenzie was a young person of great humility beyond her years, a quiet leader respected and loved by her peers and a great friend to all who knew her. Her love of family and friends, boundless energy and community service are her legacy.
The world lost one of its brightest stars and Kenzie’s influence will remain in all those she touched.
We should all live by the values that Kenzie embodied:
· Work for a cause, not for applause,
· Live life to express, not to impress,
· Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.
The sky is NOT the limit!
Born in Chapel Hill, NC on January 5, 1998, Kenzie was a senior at East Chapel Hill High School. She most recently fulfilled her dream of earning her private pilot’s license.
On the cusp of a brilliant future, Kenzie’s life centered on her passions: family, friends, jump rope and flying. She was a 13-year member and current co-captain of the Bouncing Bulldogs Jump Rope Team, to which she dedicated her heart and soul. Kenzie earned global respect and admiration as a hardworking, talented, disciplined and humble athlete. She was deeply committed to being a mentor and a positive influence to young people. Kenzie lived more in her 17 years with us than most do in a lifetime.
An adventurous spirit, Kenzie excelled at whatever she committed her heart to: jump rope, flying, snow skiing, water skiing, tennis. Her coach called her one of the greatest jumpers in the world: a 7-time Grand National Jump Rope Champion and a 5-time World Jump Rope Champion. She was eagerly awaiting her 18th birthday to experience her first skydiving lesson.
Kenzie was a young person of great humility beyond her years, a quiet leader respected and loved by her peers and a great friend to all who knew her. Her love of family and friends, boundless energy and community service are her legacy.
The world lost one of its brightest stars and Kenzie’s influence will remain in all those she touched.
We should all live by the values that Kenzie embodied:
· Work for a cause, not for applause,
· Live life to express, not to impress,
· Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.
The sky is NOT the limit!