Obituary of Lily Jean Fairchild-Parks

Lily Jean Fairchild-Parks, 21, of Tucson, died unexpectedly August 6, 2012. She was born December 16, 1990 in Tucson. She attended Miles Exploratory Learning Center, City High School, Edge High School, and Pima Community College. Lily loved art and photography, leaving behind impressive works in these fields. She was an avid music fan, as well as a fiddle player. She loved animals and had several pets. Her life was filled with intense and impulsive beauty, sometimes marred by tragedy. But overwhelmingly she brought a sense of acceptance and empathy to everyone she met. Family and friends suspect that she was not of this world and only lent to us for a short time so that we might learn how to love fiercely, loyally, and with great abandon. Lily is survived by her parents, Elizabeth Fairchild and James Parks, and her sister, Stella Fairchild-Parks, all of Tucson. She leaves two grandmothers, Marcia Traer of Tucson, and Pi Irwin of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She is survived by an aunt, Cathie Parks of Tucson; an aunt and uncle, Kathy and Timothy Parks of Melissa, Texas; uncles, Dean Fairchild and John Knight of Phoenix; and numerous cousins. Lily also leaves her longtime boyfriend, Dan Curry, and countless friends, many of whom are in Alcoholics Anoynomous and provided a loving haven for her. A memorial and celebration of Lily's life will be held Saturday, August 11, from 7-11pm, at The Tucson Scottish Rite Cathedral, 160 South Scott Avenue, Tucson. Everyone is welcome to bring food, and the family will provide beverages. Out of respect for Lily's many AA friends, this will be a dry event. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Pima County Animal Care Center.