LosGatosObserver.com

Softball was a big part of Alexis Briski’s short life.

A celebration of the life of Alexis Joy Briski will be held Friday, May 29 at 4pm at Calvary Church in Los Gatos. Alexis, 11, lost her year-long battle with osteosarcoma, a childhood bone cancer, Saturday.

A promising softball pitcher, Alexis’ arm unexpectedly broke early last spring. Tests revealed the bone cancer, and Alexis courageously fought the disease. She never lost her sense of humor nor her positive attitude the entire time.

A member of the LGSGSA Magic program, Alexis attended tournaments last summer and fall although unable to participate on the field. Members of all seven Magic teams wore pink patches on their uniforms that read “Alexis—We’re Cheering For You.”

A pitcher who had a cannon for an arm and lightning fast reflexes, Alexis loved softball. Her competitive spirit and never-give-up attitude earned her admiration from players and coaches alike. On one of the days that she felt strong this past March, her coach, Ray Sisco, put her into a Rec game to pitch one final inning.

Her teammates loved her immensely, and she loved them. Making friends and playing softball went hand in hand for Alexis, and she enjoyed not only the competitive side of the game, but also the friendships that she developed through the years. Win or lose, she never quit—in both life and softball.

But softball was only one portion of Alexis’s life. She loved her friends, art, school, her church youth group, and above all, her family. When told that she would not live, she told her parents that she was not afraid to die and that she knew she was going to heaven where there is no pain. She was, however, saddened at the thought of missing her friends and family.

Alexis loved her family activities, which included hikes at Stevens Creek Park, and trips to Seacliff Beach in Aptos and the Monterey Dunes. One of her final trips was to the Monterey Dunes on May 17, where she got to witness the baptism of her 22-month-old sister Emily. Alexis engineered the trip when she realized that her sister had not yet been baptized.

Alexis also always dreamed of going to Rome, so the family took a trip there in late March/early April. She got to see the Vatican, the Roman Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon. But more importantly, she was feeling fine and got to run with her brother and sisters, shop, take in the beautiful and historic sites, and most of all, just be a part of a family that she loved, and that loved her.

Alexis is survived by her parents, Kael and Kay Briski, her sisters Annika (8) and Emily (22 months), and her brother Matthew (6). She is also survived by her grandparents, Michael and Kathryn Briski and Marilyn Land; her great aunt and uncle Zada and Nicholas Hordin; her aunt Mika Briski and uncle David Clarke; and her cousins Tasha Hordin, Tanya Bell, Beatrice Bell and Laslow Bell.

Alexis’ memorial service will be followed by an on-site reception at Calvary Church. Many arms of the community have expressed a desire to help with food for the reception. Those willing to donate food should take items (in disposable containers) to the Calvary Church main office between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Friday.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one the following organizations that had so much meaning and inspiration in Alexis’ life: The “Make a Wish” Foundation; The Joint Youth Group, c/o Lisa Jacobs at Willow Glen United Methodist Church, 1420 Newport Ave., San Jose, CA 95125; or the Los Gatos-Saratoga Girls Softball Association, c/o Julie Williams, P.O. Box 366, Los Gatos, CA 95031.

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