Obituary-Tiffany Leigh Frederick, 21

October 8, 2004

Tiffany Frederick was born tiny, timid and feisty in Rock Springs, Wyoming on May 3, 1983. At four pounds, three ounces, and diagnosed with Turner's Syndrome, she at first seemed frail. She immediately ripped off her respirator and put everyone's concerns to rest. This child had a mind of her own. She chose not to crawl, but to roll. She decided not to walk until she was 19 months old, and then never stopped moving.

As an infant, Tiffany was uncomfortable with anyone other than her mother, father and big brother, Steve, who was three years older. She was not shy for long. After being shuttled to countless ball games and living within the extended family community of Table Rock, Wyoming, she soon began to blossom. The good life was where the people were! Her favorite place to be was tagging after Steve and his friends, a hobby she never really grew out of.

When Tiffany was three, her sister Kayla was born. Tif took her big sister responsibilities seriously. She watched Kayla, played with her, and powdered her with Comet (once) when she thought it was necessary. Never mind that Tiffany would always be much smaller than Kayla, she still knew how to take control.

The Frederick family moved to Eads in 1990. Although it was an adjustment, Tif was happy to be close to her two grandmas and grandpa and many other family members.

After starting school, Tiffany soon learned that schoolwork could be difficult. She chose, on her own, to master the situation. Each day after school, she came straight home and concentrated on homework until it was completed; no outside distractions until she felt the job was done. This was a practice she continued.

As tiny as Tif was, she wanted to be involved and participate. She played softball for a while, learning to crouch when she batted to leave a very small zone for pitching. During Jr. High and High School, she discovered cheerleading. She loved her time as a cheerleader, and kept many reminders of those days.

When Tiffany was fifteen, she was given a choice. Stay much shorter than average, or enter a regimen of daily shots and examinations to add a few more inches. With no hesitation, she took the challenge. For four years, with no reminders or assistance, she gave herself daily injections. She felt it was a success when she reached her goal of 5 feet ½ inch.

Tiffany was strong-willed, but good natured. Over the years, she was bombarded by names like Shorty and Munchkin, but accepted them as terms of endearment. When given a task, she put her whole heart and soul into it.

After Tif graduated from Eads High School in 2002, she was sad to leave the many friends she had grown up with, but excited to try college. Oklahoma Panhandle State University was where she found a second home. She loved OPSU and immediately set about meeting as many people as possible. She chose to major in psychology and began to consider a minor in mass communications

Tiffany left us unexpectedly on September 28, 2004. Although she was just 21 years old, she packed a full life into those short years. Those who truly knew her understood that they had met a very special human being. Tif lived up to the phrase that she liked from her first Turner's readings: "Dynamite Comes in Small Packages."

Tiffany Frederick is survived by her parents Jerry and Janet Frederick of Eads; brother Steve Frederick of Greeley; and by her sister Kayla Frederick of Eads. She is also survived by her grandmother Ethel Richards, her aunts and uncles Clara (Vaughn) Chamberlain, Delmer Frederick, Darul Frederick, Norene (Larry) LaBorde, Noella (Lonnie) Johnson, Jeanne (Roland) Sorensen, Dan (Jan) Richards, Tom (Kim) Richards and Karen Krueger as well as numerous cousins and other relatives. Tiffany was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lloyd and Opal Frederick and Robert Richards, as well as one aunt and one uncle.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 4, 2004, at the United Methodist Church in Eads with Rev. Brian Riecke officiating. Vocalist Mary Eikner, accompanied by musicians Bob Seay and Matt Seay, sang "Angles Among Us," "Amazing Gracing," and "Help Pour Out the Rain." Casket bearers were Greg Frazee, Steve Frederick, Jason Weirich, Todd Price, Marty Dietrich, and Jerry Striplin. Burial was at the Eads Cemetery. Brown Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tiffany Frederick Memorial Fund in care of Valley State Bank in Eads.