Maria Rose Humphrey

Maria Rose Humphrey-Kritsotakis passed away quickly, unexpectedly, and peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. Although only 16 years old, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy of love and inspiration in the many lives she touched. After hearing the news of her passing, one of her high school friends said, "She made me the person I am today." Maria's life got off to a rough start in the Phoenix Children's Hospital NICU, and since then she dealt with challenges stemming from hydrocephalus and Vici Syndrome. But her parents made sure she wasn’t defined by her medical conditions, and gave her the fullest life possible, such as participating in hippotherapy at Horses Help, being a cheerleader for Hillcrest Middle School basketball, swimming with Jr’s Swim School, playing soccer with the Sunshine League, traveling across the US, and cruising to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Even now, Maria continues her legacy and lives on by contributing to the Donor Network of Arizona and to neurology research at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Maria most loved three things in life: people, animals, and music. She'd get a big smile when meeting new people, especially men with deep voices. In addition to her dog, Goldie, and three cats, her experience with animals included feeding a giraffe, riding an elephant, and helping to train Squid the miniature service donkey. She enjoyed watching nature shows, except when the animals were fighting. Her eclectic musical tastes included Shawn Mendez, Caravan Palace, and DaBaby (mostly to annoy her parents). She also liked watching the Arizona Cardinals. Although unable to walk or even stand without support, at one Cardinals game, she managed to stand for the entire game—including overtime, holding onto the railing so she could show her support for the home team.

Now, freed from the prison of her body, she can walk and run and jump, and talk and laugh and swear as much as she wants. We expect she was greeted by her grandmothers, both also named Maria, who rushed to meet her, each trying to be the one to hug her first. She is survived by her parents, Manolis Kritsotakis and Cathy Humphrey, her uncle Andy, auntie Rose, grandfather Richard, lots of cousins and second cousins in the US and Greece, and many aunties and surrogate grandparents. She is also survived by countless others from her village who loved her, ranging from fellow students who've known her since preschool, to doctors, therapists, teachers, aides, and caregivers who often became part of the family. Her parents will not have a memorial service at this time, but memories and photos can be shared and viewed at https://www.forevermissed.com/maria-rose/about. Maria has been helped by countless organizations throughout her life, and although it is difficult to narrow it down, in lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations can be made in her memory to Ryan House, Raising Special Kids, or Feeding Matters.