Below is the tribute to Abby I delivered on Monday, June 16th at Abby's memorial service at UHS softball field. I couldn't get over how many people were there for this wonderful girl.  What an amazing outpouring of support for someone so young, who touched SO many. Well done Abby... "good and faithful servant."

Brian and Cheri, Emma and Katherine, family, friends, Unionville High School and all of us here to celebrate Abby's life.My name is Jen Croneberger and I am the Unionville varsity softball coach. Life with Abby for me, began 3 years ago --her freshman year, and mine as well, here at Unionville.

We rode the rollercoaster together and had our share of ups and downs. She was the only kid who knew how to push my buttons the way she did. The best part was that I knew how to push hers too.. And as we both later grew to understand, there was a reason we were brought together. Coaching a team of high school girls is never easy, but it's the most rewarding thing I have done in my life. As any family, there is sibling rivalry, boy drama, friend miscommunications, all of which seem trivial now.

Abby had a strong will, and sometimes could be hard headed, as can I. But I would soon realize that we would find a connection that runs deep... and runs forever.

Abby taught me patience. She taught me about big hearts and huge smiles. She taught me how much a simple hug could mean, even for just no reason.

That rollercoaster continued. injury and illness plagued her a few times, but she got through it and came back to get the game-winning hit in our last game of the season which tied us for second place in our division, a huge accomplishment. I told her that day how proud I was of her, and how I was so happy to see her evolve and change and grow. on the field, and off the field.

It was the beginning of may when we had our breakthrough and our rollercoaster took a turn for the good. She texted me, as Abby was always very good at, and said "Sorry to bother you coach jen, but was curious as to when our practice would be if it rains tomorrow?" I responded back and said "Abby, you are never a bother to me."

That was the day that changed everything. We talked for what seemed like forever that night and from that day on, we talked or texted or emailed almost every day since. One night she said that she always thought I didn't like her or didn't care but realized then that it was because I DID like her and DID care that I pushed her the way I did. She thanked me for doing so.

I got messages from her asking for advice, asking how my day was, wondering what I was doing. Setting up times to come visit me at ETC, asking when she could come "hit" which we know for all of you means "sit in my office and chat," which I love just as much.

She was supposed to be there last Friday for her pitching lesson. I couldn't wait to see her to get my hug.she called me her other mom and her best friend this past month.

All of our conversations always ended with the same thing.. Me saying "Abby, just as long as you make good choices, you will always work things out." And her saying, "Thanks so much for everything," and the standard "Love ya , mean it." One night it was late and I was going to bed and she texted me to tell me about her day, and how she felt great that day. that things were going right for her and she was really happy. She thanked me for the conversation the day before that prompted it. I left her by saying "Catch ya on the flip side".. And she responded and said, "FLIP SIDE? Coach, You are too cool".. And we laughed as she teased me about that for days. We both said it to each other as a joke between us, but realized how much meaning it actually had. how much our relationship had actually changed and flipped around.

She emailed me in the middle of May and thanked me again for everything, as she did almost every day, reminding me of the great big heart she had, that thankful and caring side. She said, "Thanks again for everything, I've learned so much this season, not only about the game, but myself as well. And you, and life lessons and I think you got to know me a little better. And thank you for not judging me. Love ya mean it and Ill catcha on the flip side.?Abby."

I got to know the caring side of Abby these past two months, and I have loved every minute of it.

I came here to the field on Saturday before the team was to meet in the library together. It was a little after 9am and I had some time before I needed to get inside. I came and sat here on the bench and was amazed at the peacefulness I felt. It was so quiet, no people, no cars, nothing. It was serene. As I got lost in thought looking out over the field, I had been asking Abby to send me a sign, to just let me know she's ok.. I asked the night before, and again that morning. and it was almost like I was just waiting..and out of nowhere, came this big, beautiful, bright yellow butterfly. It flew right in front of me, then stopped and hovered for about 5 seconds, then flew off over the field. It reminded me of the quote that hangs on the wall at ETC, "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."

I smiled, and knew right then she was ok.

Let me close by mentioning that roller coaster. We all find ourselves on it right now... life is sometimes unrelenting that way. But it is in the comfort of each other that we find meaning and love, and the ability to make some sense out of something that makes no sense.

Harvey Fierstein was talking about the new Broadway play he is in called "A Catered Affair." In it he sings a song that had meaning to him when he was a kid growing up in Brooklyn.  He was scared to ride the roller coaster at Coney Island. His uncle told him to just ride it so he could say he did. After much persuasion, he finally got on even through his fear..he finally rode the roller coaster. But he kept his eyes closed for the whole ride. After he was done and his uncle asked him how it was, Harvey told him that he didn't open his eyes until it was over. To which his uncle responded, "You took the ride. you paid your money. but you missed the view."

Abby took the ride, she paid her dues.. But she lived life with her eyes wide open.. she didn't miss the view.

Abby, I do love you, and I do mean it.. And I WILL catcha on the flip side. That's a promise kiddo. God bless you all.