Eirelyn Grace Zuercher

Eirelyn Grace Zuercher (14) of Akron, Ohio died on Wednesday February 24, 2021 after an accident while sledding with her friends. Her father, Jared, raced to heaven just ahead of her so that he could be there to greet her.

In death, as in life, Eirelyn was generous, granting the gift of life to five other people through organ donation. While we miss her warm hugs and smile and await the day we will meet her again, we find comfort in knowing that part of her lives on through the individuals she has saved.

Eirelyn lived a short but beautiful life. She was born to Jared and Katie Zuercher on December 2, 2006.  Those she left behind will remember her eyes that saw beauty in the world and in people, her hands, which created visual works of art, her gentleness, her wisdom, and her funny quirks. She had a knack for making silly faces and naming everything from her laptop to bugs she found in the house. She had many interests, including Shakespeare, musical theatre, Marvel movies and Dr Who. When she watched a movie, she insisted on reading every single name in the credits, to the very end.  She was calm and confident, easy to love and she loved deeply. She was a proud ally and advocate for equality and human rights. Eirelyn was recently accepted into the St. Vincent-St. Mary class of 2025 where she was looking forward to participating in theatre.

Eirelyn is survived by her mom Katie Dougherty Zuercher, sister Noella, grandparents Lynne Dougherty of Akron, Jim Dougherty of Fort Wayne, IN, Tom and Susan Zuercher of Ashland.  Aunts and uncles Matthew (Crystal) Dougherty of Columbus, Sharla (Paul) Lechner of Ashland, and cousins Anna Burns, Braden Burns, Kaleb Burns, Kaleia Lechner, Aelan Lechner, Alyssa Dougherty, Riley Dougherty, and many extended family who loved her dearly, as well as her second family, her 8th grade class at Spring Garden Waldorf School and her beloved teacher Mrs. Molly Sullivan, whom she lovingly called “second mom.”

She was preceded in death by her father Jared Zuercher, and aunt and uncle Heather and Roger Burns.

A private family memorial service to celebrate the lives of Eirelyn and Jared will be held on Saturday, March 13th at 2pm at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel with her grandfather, Pastor Tom Zuercher officiating. The service will be live streamed on the Billow Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BillowFuneralHomes/

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of MetroHealth and Lifebanc for their gracious presence in those difficult hours.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Eirelyn’s name to LifeBanc.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333