Malin Reed Opitz
Jun 17, 2013 - Jan 31st, 2023- Birth Date: Jun 17, 2013
- Death Date: Jan 31, 2023
- Funeral Date: Unknown
- Location:
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Biography: Malin Reed Opitz was born in Little Rock on Monday, June 17th, 2013 and after the most amazing 9 and a half years, she went to heaven on Tuesday, January 31st, 2023. She was held tightly by her loving parents, Patty and Jonathan Opitz, as she quietly and peacefully passed at home after an 8 month battle with DIPG/DMG brain cancer. Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh without fear of the days to come” was given to Malin by a physician shortly after her diagnosis and became a testament to how she would live during her fight. She was incredible throughout her life at letting her light shine, caring deeply for other people. With no cure for DIPG/DMG, she faced it head-on with bravery, love, and positivity. Malin knows God has something amazing planned for her. True to Malin’s character, she wanted her tissue to be donated for research at UAMS.
Malin lived life to the fullest, investing her whole heart in everything she did, with everyone she loved. She had a passion for cooking and baking, trying to convince her MeMe to experiment with new recipes. Her love of swimming renewed every summer when Kyle opened their pool and started the grill. (Barbara and Kyle Treat) She loved sleepovers and late night stories with LuLu and her creative side came out while drawing with PopPop. Her sense of humor showed regularly, giving him a hard time, mostly about not wearing his hearing aids. (Elaine and John Watts) She cherished her cousins Perri, Finley and Reece (Opitz) and always looked forward to spending time with them – summer trips to Magic Springs, Purple Cow lunches, and afternoon dance/talent shows. She was adored and spoiled by her aunt and uncles, Leah and Craig Opitz and J.P. Watts. She loved to tease Pop-Frank about the length of his moustache looking like the Lorax. She loved all things Disney, which started with a trip to Disney World with Susan and Pop-Frank. (Susan Graves Russell and Frank Opitz) She loved her couch time cuddling with her spoiled rotten dog, Chewy, and often referred to him as a “good boy, but a bad dog.” Her “Lobsters” were very special to her considering them more family than friends. She treasured her extended family – her many great aunts, uncles and cousins- and had the fiercest love for all of her friends. She was so smart and creative and loved to learn with her Jefferson Elementary family and looked forward to her favorite subjects – Art, Math, Reading and G.T. She was incredibly motivated and learned her power and strength with her IHG gymnastics team. She looked forward to summer camps, especially Winnamocka, Ferncliff, Camp Aldersgate and the Art Center, springtime Hillcrest softball and her time with Girl Scout Troop 6075.
She was incredibly competitive, yet humble, and could beat and outlast anyone at anything, but mostly board games, card games, sports, and Nintendo Switch. She loved Girls on the Run, Jefferson Joggers, and Cammack Village Family Fun Run. She could dig deep, as running didn’t come easy to her, but loved that if she could prove she wanted it more, she could outrun just about anyone. She was a go with the flow/chill girl and always logical, even when leading with her heart. She was mature for her age, an old soul, who was able to sit and talk for hours, even pondering really deep questions about life. She was witty and funny with a dry sense of humor that would surprise, with her naturally impeccable comedic timing and her Malin-isms. She loved to travel around the country and was always up for a long weekend road trip. Her goal was to see all 50 states before she graduated high school, but was only able to make it to 18 of them. At the end of the day, she cherished her time just being at home with Momma, Daddy, and Chewy.
The Opitz family is very thankful for everyone who helped Malin during her journey, including her family, her friends, Jefferson Elementary, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, UAMS, and UCSF, her doctors & nurses, her PT and OT team, the pharmaceutical companies for clinical trial and compassionate care medications, her Hospice team, Camp Aldersgate, her gymnastics team, her softball team, AMR Architects and PSW Architects, and everyone else who ever said a prayer or sent a positive thought Malin’s way – you all will forever be a part of Malin’s story.
Due to Malin’s young age and the toll her treatments and disease took on her body, there will not be a traditional funeral, wake, or visitation. A large celebration of Malin’s wonderful life will be scheduled once her parents have time to grieve and try to comprehend the enormity and totality of their loss. Malin thought this would be a more positive way for her friends and family to be able to say goodbye. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider making a donation to Malin’s memorial, Venmo @Patricia-Opitz-1. She will be laid to rest at Mt. Holly Cemetery.
Malin had the biggest heart and always looked for the good in everyone around her. Malin gave her all to everyone, never afraid to love and be loved. “The risk of love is loss and the price of loss is grief. But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love”-Hilary Stanton Zunin. Arrangements are being handled with the utmost respect and care by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Unfortunately we did not meet sweet Malin, but know that she was your heart and soul. Praying for your family during this most difficult time. Love and lots of prayer sent your way!
I am a cousin in Fayetteville and grew up with "the Watts kids." I will continue to keep you in my prayers.
Deeply, Kathi
“In that day He will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever!
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.” Isaiah 25:7-8.