Kyra came into this world bonded forever with her twin sister, Brenna. From the moment they were born we knew they were both fighters, but Kyra had a particularly feisty warrior spirit that remained steady throughout her short life.
Kyra was a free-spirited wildflower. She loved swimming, tubing at the lake, cannonballing off our boat with big sister, Audra, rollerblading and scootering up and down our street, riding her bike (we called her Little Zippy), singing at the top of her lungs and dancing in the kitchen (like her mom). At the age of 6, she declared that when she grew up she wanted to be “a boss.” We all had no doubt that she would be.
Early on Kyra gravitated to blocks and puzzles (like her dad). While she would happily play Barbies, magic clip dolls, and princess dress up with her sisters, she always ended up at her LEGO table. She also loved coloring, reading spooky books and Archie comics, drawing, and making up/telling jokes. She was mischievous at times (we had to hide the scissors), but was a rule follower when it mattered and a good student who cared about school.
Adventurous could be Kyra’s middle name. She tried anything, from food to crazy roller coasters. She was obsessed with untypical kid food like avocados, tomatoes and cucumbers. She also loved mommy’s popcorn, Jimmy John’s zippy chips, and rare steak. Kyra wasn’t afraid of much, though she despised mosquitos.
Kyra was quick-witted and loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. She also was an empathetic girl who could lift your spirits or calm you down. Kyra’s determination in all she did, along with her love for sports, art, laughing and creating, is something we hope lives on among her friends, family and the community.
Kyra’s Crew Forever!

In November 2023, at just 9 years old, Kyra was diagnosed with an inoperable brainstem tumor. Her parents were told the diagnosis was terminal, but they remained determined to make the most of the time they had together.
Through it all, Kyra and her family never lost hope. Her spirit stayed strong, and she was able to experience moments of joy, love, and connection that will never be forgotten.
Kyra passed away in August 2024, just weeks before her 10th birthday. In the midst of unimaginable loss, the Smith family was surrounded by an outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and their community.
In honor of Kyra, the Smith family chose to give back—hoping to ease the burden for other families facing a similar journey. They carry forward the same compassion that helped them, knowing Kyra would be proud.
Kyra's Crew Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Your generosity directly supports families navigating childhood cancer. EIN: 33-1856287.
Copyright © 2026 Kyra's Crew - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.