Olivia Grace Haardt

Olivia is survived by family and friends who loved her beyond measure, including her mother and father, Ashley and Andrew “A.J.” Haardt, and her cherished little brother, Jack Thomas Haardt; her grandparents, Joanne and William “Wasabi” Haardt, Michele “Amma” Boorsma, and Jeff “Zoo Grandpa” Boorsma; her godfather Steven “Uncle Teve” and aunt Dolly Haardt, Nicole “Aunt Unicorn” and Andrew Boatwright, her godmother and aunt, Megan Boorsma; her cousins, Lukas Haardt and Benny Adams; in addition to her extended family across the country and countless others whose lives are forever changed by knowing Olivia.

There is no way to tell Olivia’s story without St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which became an enormous part of her life. The doctors, nurses, and numerous members of her care team walked beside her family through some of the hardest years imaginable and gave them eight years of tomorrows. The family is forever grateful and would especially like to thank Dr. Sara Helmig, Dr. Andrew Davidoff, Dr. Matthew Krasin, Dr. Lindsay Talbot, Dr. Frederick Boop, Dr. Paul Klimo, Dr. Robin Evans, Dr. Alberto Pappo, Dr. Senthil Bhoopalan, Dr. Michael Temple, Sara Meehan, Kim Proctor, Sophie Davidoff, Amy Kimble, Heather Havens, Nan Henderson, Judy Hoy, Kristin Younger, Matt Lattner, Mary Morgan Robinson, the VAT team, her palliative care team, and, of course, Amy Kennedy and Snuggle.

She was equally surrounded by love at Bailey Station Elementary School. Her teachers, staff, classmates, and school community supported her through years that were anything but ordinary while still giving her a place where she could simply be a kid, a student, a book lover, and a friend. All of which was possible thanks to the entire faculty, especially Deanna Jones, Angela Pearson, Tabitha Diaz, Renee Spiker, Lauren Pumphrey, Amanda West, Ashley Billions, Kristin Korthauer, Lauren Brewer, Danielle Ridley, Shannon Brady, Cathy Sartin, Ashley Snow, and her many best friends.

Olivia lived a full life despite her illness. She was sharp, kind, fun, and had a great sense of humor. Most of all, Olivia loved being Jack’s big sister. To her, he was more than her little brother, he was her built-in best friend and one of the most important people in her world. She was a company dancer on the blue team at NVS Dance Studio in Collierville and loved any opportunity to perform. You could find her out shopping to no end at Target, Sephora, and Hobby Lobby or at themed sleepovers and spa nights with her besties. She loved Christmas and fully committed to holiday traditions, bringing immense joy to everyone around her. One of her happiest places was Disney World, where she loved spending time with her family. Over eight years, they made ten trips together, with her and Jack becoming avid pin traders along the way. Olivia would hide “pixie dust” for other children to find at the parks and brought that magic back home, leaving gifts for other patients in the common areas at St. Jude.

Olivia loved dogs just as deeply. Her Australian Shepherds were never simply pets. They were family. She was predeceased by her beloved Duke, who passed away on September 2, 2026, just weeks before Olivia. She is survived by Roper and Dally. Her family takes comfort in believing that when Olivia left this world, Duke was there waiting for her.

For eight years, Olivia lived between two very different worlds. One was the world she didn’t choose, consisting of hospitals, treatments, surgeries, setbacks, and uncertainty. The other was the world she kept choosing to live in and loved dearly: school, friends, family, dogs, dancing, Disney trips, beach days, diamond art, jokes, pin trading, and all the ordinary things that mattered most. The disease took a great deal from her, but it never managed to take the parts of her that made her who she was.

In Olivia’s honor, do not wait to live. Take the trip. Buy the pin. Dance when the music comes on. Go to the beach. Bring your dog. Give the gift. Be generous when nobody is watching. Tell your people you love them. Leave a little pixie dust wherever you go. Do the things that make you happy, because none of us ever really know what might happen next.

The eight years that was given after her diagnosis feels nothing short of miraculous, while ten years together was nowhere near enough. Her family takes comfort in their faith and in believing that Olivia is now whole, free from pain, and at peace in God’s care. After a lifetime that asked far too much of her, she no longer has to fight.

She was deeply loved and she always will be.

Olivia had a special relationship with the Lord that was part of her life from an early age. She attended preschool at Catholic Church of the Incarnation and later celebrated her sacraments there. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Olivia’s life on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at Catholic Church of the Incarnation, 360 Bray Station Road, Collierville, Tennessee. Visitation will be held from 2:30 PM until 3:30 PM, followed by mass at 3:30 PM, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Olivia make donations to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to give other families the hope of more tomorrows, or to her beloved Bailey Station Elementary School in Collierville, Tennessee.