Rylie Kimball

“Rylie spent her life finding beauty, even while living through pain.”

Some people are remembered for what they accomplished. Others are remembered for how they made people feel. Rylie Kimball will forever be remembered for the beauty she brought into the lives of those around her.

From the time she was a little girl, Rylie had an extraordinary gift for finding beauty where others might have overlooked it. While she found beauty in colorful flowers blooming along a path, the endless blue of the ocean, majestic mountain landscapes, timeless architecture and in the faces of the people she loved. She also found beauty in illuminating the unseen. She surrounded herself with beauty, painted it onto canvas, traveled thousands of miles to experience it, and quietly shared that with everyone fortunate enough to know her. Even while living through unimaginable challenges, Rylie never stopped searching for beauty.

Rylie was born on October 12, 2006, in Ogden, Utah, alongside her twin brother, Reagan, to her loving parents, Scott and Cassandra. From the very beginning, she was a happy, healthy baby with bright eyes, an infectious smile, and a personality that naturally drew people toward her. She was playful, affectionate, endlessly curious, and unmistakably all girl. She loved dressing up as a princess, spending hours with her American Girl dolls, decorating, creating, and filling every space around her with imagination. Yet growing up alongside her twin brother, Reagan, and older brother, Parker also meant learning how to wrestle, roughhouse, climb, explore, and laugh until everyone around her was laughing too. She possessed a beautiful balance of tenderness and determination that would become one of the defining characteristics of her life.

When Rylie was five years old, what seemed like an ordinary afternoon of childhood play resulted in a broken femur—one of the earliest reminders that her life would include unexpected medical challenges. A few years later, after doctors discovered a tumor in her neck and additional testing was performed, Rylie was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type II (NF2), a rare genetic condition that causes tumors to develop throughout the central nervous system. That diagnosis marked the beginning of a journey no child should ever have to face. Over the years, Rylie underwent numerous surgeries involving her brain, neck, spine, and extremities along with countless scans, treatments, therapies, hospital stays, and months of rehabilitation. There were seasons filled with uncertainty, disappointment, and the difficult question she asked more than once: “Why me?”

More than anything, Rylie simply wanted to live a normal life. She wanted to go to school every day. She wanted to spend time with her friends. She wanted to travel. She wanted to paint. She wanted to build little businesses. She wanted to fall in love. She wanted to dream about her future. Those were honest hopes. Those were human hopes. Yet even through those moments of heartache, Rylie refused to allow her diagnosis to define who she was. She never wanted to be known as the girl with NF2. She simply wanted people to know Rylie—the artist, the entrepreneur, the traveler, the animal lover, the daughter, the sister, the granddaughter, the friend, the young woman whose laughter filled a room, whose compassion touched hearts, and whose remarkable ability to see beauty inspired everyone around her.

And that is exactly how she should be remembered. Although NF2 would become part of Rylie’s story, it never became the whole story. She was determined to experience childhood the way every child hopes to—with friends, laughter, sports, music, adventures, and memories that had nothing to do with hospitals. Rylie loved playing softball and soccer and embraced every opportunity to be involved. She also became a talented violinist, a gift lovingly nurtured by her mother Cassie, who recognized and encouraged her musical abilities from an early age. Whether she was performing, participating in school activities, or simply spending time with friends, Rylie wanted to be fully present in life.

As the years passed, the tumors continued to grow, requiring additional surgeries and treatments. Each procedure brought new physical challenges, but somehow Rylie always found a way to keep moving forward. She continued attending school, making friends, participating in activities, and refusing to let her circumstances determine what she could become.

Her beloved dog, Coco. remained by her side through every chapter of her journey. For eleven wonderful years, Coco—a sweet little Shorkie—was far more than a family pet. She was Rylie’s constant companion and dearest friend. Coco faithfully accompanied Rylie through nearly every season of her life, sleeping beside her during hospital stays, comforting her after surgeries, attending countless doctor’s appointments, and quietly remaining by her side through both joyful and difficult days. Through every surgery, every hospital stay, every difficult diagnosis, and every trip back home, Coco somehow seemed to know exactly when Rylie needed her most. There was a special comfort that only Coco could provide. When the world felt uncertain, Coco was there. Their bond was one of unconditional love, unwavering loyalty, and quiet companionship. Anyone who knew Rylie knew that wherever she was, Coco usually wasn’t far behind.

Junior high became one of the happiest chapters of Rylie’s life. She loved being involved. She joined clubs, participated enthusiastically in school activities, and discovered that she genuinely enjoyed serving others. Her classmates recognized in her a natural kindness and quiet confidence, electing her to serve as Eighth Grade President. Student government became one of her favorite experiences, allowing her to organize events, encourage classmates, and help create a positive school community.

Outside of school, some of Rylie’s happiest memories were made with her family. She cherished summers at the family cabin in Island Park, Idaho, where days were spent exploring Yellowstone National Park, riding four-wheelers, learning to fly fish, hiking beautiful mountain trails, and simply enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. Those trips became a welcome escape from the routines of hospitals and medical appointments. They reminded Rylie that there was still so much beauty waiting to be explored.

Travel eventually became one of her greatest passions. She fell deeply in love with Hawaii, especially the island of Kauai. The breathtaking beauty of the Nā Pali Coast captured her heart unlike any other place on earth. Standing before the towering emerald cliffs rising from the endless Pacific Ocean brought her a profound sense of peace. It was one of the few places where time seemed to slow, allowing her simply to breathe in the beauty surrounding her. Her appreciation for beauty extended far beyond Hawaii. Rylie was captivated by Italy, especially the colorful seaside village of Positano and the spectacular Amalfi Coast. She also treasured traveling through Spain and France, wandering historic streets, admiring magnificent architecture, discovering beautiful gardens, and immersing herself in the rich culture and timeless beauty of each place she visited. She didn’t simply enjoy traveling. She traveled looking for beauty. She noticed colors others overlooked, paused to admire flowers growing along cobblestone streets, stood in awe before centuries-old cathedrals, wandered through art museums, and found inspiration everywhere she went. Many of those experiences eventually found their way into her artwork, allowing her to share with others the beauty she had experienced herself. Perhaps more than anything else, Rylie possessed a remarkable gift for seeing beauty where others might have walked right past it. She reminded those around her that beauty isn’t something reserved for extraordinary places. It can be found in a blooming flower, a quiet sunrise, an old building with centuries of history, the laughter of family, the loyalty of a faithful dog, or a breathtaking view from the edge of the ocean. She simply taught us to slow down long enough to notice it.

From the time she was a little girl, Rylie loved to create. She found joy in making things with her hands, imagining new ideas, and turning simple materials into something beautiful. Long before she discovered painting, she was already an entrepreneur at heart. Over the years she created and sold homemade slime, arts and crafts, fairy gardens, bath salts, succulent arrangements, and reproductions of her artwork. Many of those small businesses came to life at different farmers markets and boutiques all over Utah. Rylie loved every part of it. She loved imagining new products, designing displays, talking with customers, and watching someone smile as they purchased something she had created. She was remarkably organized and surprisingly business-minded for someone so young. She built spreadsheets, tracked inventory, planned future ideas, and found genuine satisfaction in creating something people loved enough to take home. Entrepreneurship gave Rylie far more than income. It gave her confidence. It reminded her that despite everything life placed in front of her, she still had gifts to offer the world.

As Rylie entered high school, her beloved art teacher, Kathy Wilson, recognized something extraordinary. Kathy saw an uncommon gift waiting to be developed. Through patience, encouragement, and countless hours of instruction, she helped Rylie discover not only her artistic talent but also her artistic voice. Under Kathy’s guidance, Rylie blossomed. She became especially drawn to colorful landscapes—painting places she had visited, scenes that had touched her heart, and memories she never wanted to forget. Her artwork reflected much more than technical ability. Every painting carried emotion. Every brushstroke told part of her story. She painted what she loved. The rolling hills of Italy. The vibrant colors of flowers. Brilliant skies. Majestic mountains. Peaceful landscapes. Quiet places that brought her peace. Beauty was never simply something Rylie admired. It became the language through which she expressed herself. By her junior year at Davis High School, Rylie was entering juried art competitions throughout Utah. Time after time, her work received top honors. On more than one occasion, people viewing her paintings began bidding against one another on the spot, hoping to purchase her original artwork before exhibitions had even concluded. It was thrilling for Rylie—not because she wanted recognition, but because people connected with what she had created. She was the featured guest artist at the 59th Eccles Art Center Annual Art Auction Black Tie Gala, where her painting sold for $6200, a testament to her remarkable talent and dedication. Her paintings made people feel something. That meant everything to her.

In the spring of 2023, Rylie faced one of the greatest challenges of her life. Doctors discovered a malignant rhabdoid tumor in her neck. Because the tumor could not be completely removed, she began months of aggressive radiation and chemotherapy while still in high school. It was an exhausting season filled with treatments, uncertainty, and physical hardship—another chapter in a journey that had already demanded far more than most people could imagine. There were days when Rylie openly wrestled with the question, “Why me?” She longed for what every young woman deserves: the opportunity to simply be normal. She wanted to attend school without interruptions, spend time with friends, travel, continue building her businesses, paint without fatigue, dream about college, fall in love, and imagine the future without medical appointments filling her calendar. Those were honest hopes. Those were human hopes.

Yet even amid disappointment, Rylie never stopped searching for reasons to hope. During chemotherapy, Rylie tied fleece blankets and put together care packages for cats and dogs in foster care and the Salt Lake Animal Shelter. She volunteered at adoption events. When chemotherapy finally came to an end, many people expected that her first trip would be a vacation dedicated entirely to rest and recovery. Instead, Rylie chose to serve. She traveled to an orphanage in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico with her father Scott and stepmother Elvia. There, surrounded by children who possessed so little materially, yet so much joy, Rylie quietly gave of herself. She played with them. She laughed with them. She listened to them. She loved them. One child at a time. Those who watched her interact with the children quickly realized something remarkable. Rylie never saw people through the lens of what they lacked. She saw them through the lens of who they were. The children responded to her immediately. Her gentle heart, warm smile, and genuine compassion transcended language and circumstance. By the end of the week, it became difficult to tell who had received the greater gift. The children had certainly been loved. But Rylie returned home with her own heart forever changed. Serving others reminded her that even while carrying burdens of her own, she still had something precious to give. It became one of the defining experiences of her life.

Despite years of surgeries, treatments, and physical setbacks, Rylie remained deeply committed to her education. She graduated from Davis High School with High Honors taking AP and concomitant college classes through Weber State University maintaining a 3.9 GPA. She was named Davis High School Art Student of the Year, Davis School District Superintendent Student of the Month and Davis Dart of the month. In addition, her artwork earned recognition through numerous regional and state competitions, establishing her as one of Utah’s most promising young artists. What could have become a limitation instead became another opportunity to demonstrate her remarkable determination.an accomplishment that reflected both her intelligence and her perseverance. Yet if you had asked Rylie which award meant the most, she probably would have smiled, changed the subject, and started asking you about your own life instead. Recognition was never what motivated her. She simply wanted to create something beautiful enough that another person would stop… linger a little longer… and smile. For Rylie, that was always enough.

With the encouragement and support of her mother Cassie, Rylie pursued art scholarships with remarkable determination. Her extraordinary portfolio, academic excellence, and artistic accomplishments earned her recognition. Rylie was accepted into 10 of the top art schools in the country, all offering scholarships. Ryle made the brave and exciting decision to attend Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, where she was awarded, The SCAD Distinguished Presidential Scholarship. Her academic excellence earned her a place on the Dean's List in her first quarter, a fitting continuation of her high school achievements. For the first time, she found herself surrounded every day by students who loved art as deeply as she did. She immersed herself in her studies, embraced college life, and quickly impressed classmates and professors—not only with her remarkable artistic ability, but with her kindness, humility, and quiet determination. Although health complications allowed her to only complete one semester, she cherished every moment she spent living the dream she had worked so hard to achieve.

When her health required her to return home to Utah, she resumed her medical care under the guidance of her beloved oncologist, Dr. Matthew Dietz, whose compassion, wisdom, and unwavering commitment meant more to Rylie and her family than words can adequately express. New scans revealed that her rhabdoid cancer from 2023 had relapsed and metastasized to her brain and lungs. As Rylie’s health declined, Cassie, Dan and fiancé Brent never left her side. They faithfully walked beside her through doctor’s appointments, difficult conversations, hopeful moments, heartbreaking setbacks, and quiet evenings together. Their love remained steadfast through every season of her journey, reminding Rylie every single day that she was deeply cherished.

Rylie officially got engaged to her fiancé Brent Brensan on July 4th, 2026. Together they built a relationship founded on genuine friendship, laughter, unwavering devotion, and unconditional love. Brent loved Rylie completely for the remarkable young woman she was. He didn’t see a diagnosis. He saw her laughter, her kindness, her creativity, her intelligence, her courage. He saw Rylie. Together they dreamed about the future. Although their time together was far shorter than either of them imagined, theirs was a love story that forever changed both of their lives.

Rylie refused to stop living. One of her longtime dreams was to see Bruno Mars perform live. Surrounded by her loved ones, Rylie experienced an unforgettable evening filled with music, laughter, and pure joy. For a few precious hours, she wasn’t a patient or a diagnosis. She was simply a nineteen-year-old young woman singing along to her favorite songs with the people she loved. Those who shared that evening with her will forever remember the happiness that radiated from her. It became one of the treasured memories of her final months. A beautiful reminder that even when life became unimaginably difficult… Rylie never stopped living. She never stopped loving. She never stopped looking for beauty.

In the months that followed, Rylie continued to face each day with the same quiet courage that had defined her entire life. There were moments of disappointment, moments of fear, and moments when she again wrestled with questions that have no easy answers. Yet through it all, she remained unmistakably Rylie. She painted when she could. She laughed with family and friends. She treasured every moment with the people she loved most. She never lost her ability to notice the beauty that surrounded her. Perhaps that is what made Rylie so extraordinary. She taught those around her that courage is often quiet. It looks like choosing hope after heartbreaking news. It looks like continuing to dream after disappointment. It looks like creating beauty while living with pain. It looks like loving others while carrying burdens of your own. Rylie reminded everyone who knew her that joy and sorrow can exist together, and that hope is often found in the smallest moments. Although Rylie’s life lasted only nineteen years, she lived more fully than many who are given a lifetime. She lived with authenticity. She loved without reservation. She gave generously. She noticed beauty where others might have walked right past it. And in doing so… She quietly taught the rest of us to notice it too.

Rylie is survived by her father and stepmother, Scott and Elvia Kimball; her mother and stepfather, Cassandra and Dan Bingham; her older brother, Parker Kimball; her twin brother, Reagan Kimball; fiancé, Brent Brensan; grandparents Annette Hemsley, Larry and Annette Kimball, and Paul Child; her faithful companion and best friend, Coco; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, teachers, caregivers, and all whose lives were forever touched by knowing her.

The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the extraordinary physicians, nurses, therapists, child-life specialists, and hospital staff, for nearly fifteen years, they became far more than medical professionals. They became trusted friends, steadfast advocates, and an extension of Rylie’s family. Their compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication carried Rylie-and all who loved her—through countless surgeries, treatments, setbacks, victories, and moments when hope was needed most. They loved her as more than a patient. Although they could not change the length of Rylie’s life, they profoundly changed the quality of it. Their influence on Rylie’s journey—and on the lives of everyone who loved her—will never be forgotten. Rylie’s family will forever be grateful.

To Rylie:

Our hearts are broken because we wanted so much more time with you. But what an incredible gift it was to be your family. Thank you for teaching us to slow down and notice the beauty around us. Thank you for showing us what quiet courage looks like. Thank you for reminding us that even in life’s hardest moments, there is still beauty to be found, love to be shared, and joy worth embracing. Thank you for filling our lives with laughter, creativity, compassion, unwavering determination, and unconditional love. You will always be our daughter. You will always be our sister. You will always be our granddaughter. You will always be our friend. You will always be our beautiful Rylie. Though our hearts ache in your absence, we find peace in knowing that you are finally free. Free from pain, free from fear, and surrounded by perfect love. Until the joyful day we are together again, we will carry your light with us. Because that’s what you taught us to do. May God be with you until we meet again

Funeral services for Rylie will be Saturday, July 18th at 11:00 a.m. at Russon Mortuary in in Farmington, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington.  There will be a viewing Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. as well as from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning at the mortuary.  The Funeral will be streamed live and a link will be provided here.