ILION-On Thursday morning, August 5, 2010, Marykatherine Elisabeth Maxson, age 23 months and one week, passed from the arms of her mother into the arms of her heavenly Father. Her passing which occurred in University Hospital, Syracuse was due to heart surgery complications. She was born in Syracuse on August 28, 2008 daughter of Charles and Rachael (Fikes) Maxson. The family are members of the Herkimer Reformed Church. Marykatherine came into this world full of life and love for her friends and family. Her miraculous life is a testimony of her family's love and faith in God. Many times throughout the course of her short life she defied odds. She had a remarkable love for her brother Liam and her parents. Her long battle with numerous birth defects did not stop her from playing, learning sign language, laughing and charming the hearts of everyone around her! Marykatherine's journey may have been a tougher road, but there was so much bright sunshine along the path that everyone who was apart of her life could feel her happiness! Survivors include her loving family; her loving brother, Liam; her parents: Rachael and Charles; maternal grandmother: Maryann Ward of Mohawk; paternal grandfather: Terry Maxson of Auburn; paternal great grandmother: Hilde Snowberger of Olean; aunts and uncles: Phillip and Ian Maxson-Davies of the United Kingdom; Eva and David Senick of Buffalo, Mary Maxson and James Woodard of New Jersey, Sgt. Luke and Jessica Maxson stationed in Hawaii; great aunts and uncles: Edward and Kathy Ward of Sacketts Harbor, Brenda Fink of Little Genessee, Carla Maxson of Pennsylvania, Alice and Harold Goodwin, Norma Snowberger, Beatrice Fuller, Julie Stravato, George Snowberger and Yasmin Snowberger; and a cousin: Caleb Senick. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother: Regina Maxson and by her paternal great uncle, Joe Maxson. A heartfelt thanks is extended to the doctors, nurses and staff of University Hospital Syracuse for their tender love and care. Also a special thank you to Marykatherine's teachers: Miss Laura, Olivia, Erika, Linda and Joan as well to nurses Olga, Rosalyn and Karen for their compassion and friendship. Thanks also to the many relatives, friends, co workers and church family members for love and support offered throughout Marykatherine's life and during this difficult time. Words cannot express how grateful the family truly is. The family will receive relatives and friends at Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., between Ilion and Frankfort, 894-8000 on Thursday, August 12, 2010 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Marykatherine's funeral will commence at 11 am on Friday, August 13, 2010 from Herkimer Reformed Church, North Main Street, Herkimer with the Rev. Mark Andersen, officiating. Procession will follow to Highland Rural Cemetery, Jordanville where Marykatherine will be laid to rest. Kindly consider memorial offerings to the family of Marykatherine which can be made at the funeral parlor. Marykatherine's arrangements are in the care of Daniel J. Enea, funeral director.