Kya Providence

Kya Catherine Providence of Worcester passed away surrounded by loved ones at home Friday, May 13th at the age of 17. If anyone could brighten your day and give you a headache within the same hour, it was Kya. She was a strong, inspiring and very sassy young woman who fought ALL the way. Kya was diagnosed with cancer when she was ten years old and given a three-month prognosis, yet she continued to smile because she loved life. Kya and her mother Samantha faced numerous difficulties to come to this country to provide Kya a better life. They remained strong because they had each other, overcoming obstacles together, and being fortunate to meet strangers along the way who became family. Kya surpassed each difficulty without complaint because she knew what needed to be done. One of her most difficult moments was learning she had to have her leg amputated. Despite her youth, she understood it was the best choice and came to terms with it so positively that she insisted on receiving a death certificate for her leg as well as choosing and decorating an urn for it. Kya was creative and had a number of hobbies such as doing her own nails and makeup and visiting Target, which was its own expensive hobby. She enjoyed spending time with her family, watching movies, especially Marvel, and often had a book in her hand. Her latest hobby was diamond painting which demanded a level of patience that few achieve. She loved music of all kinds. You could hear her playing music any time of the day and see her do a little shimmy to the beat every once in a while. Kya is survived by her mother, Samantha Llewellyn Leroy of Worcester; her father, Justin Providence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; her siblings, Prince Ragiv Moise Leroy and Gnilane Khloe Providence; her maternal grandparents, Jesmin Burgin and Bertram “Egg” Llewellyn; her maternal great-grandmother, Catherine Llewellyn; her paternal grandmother, Beula Providence; her aunts, Racheal John, Lakeisha Patterson, Melecia Webb, and Molissa Shepherd; an enormous support system that consisted of Auntie Candy, Mr. P. , Claudia, the Leroys, Alan, Nicole and her family, Kerri, the staffs at Sherry's House, The Jimmy Fund Clinic, UMass hospital, The Shrewsbury Public Schools; and many others she met throughout her seven-year journey. A Celebration of Life will be held at Kelly Cremation and Funeral Care, 154 Lincoln Street, Worcester from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm on June 4, 2022, which would have been Kya’s 18th birthday. The family welcomes all to stay afterwards for fellowship from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Please come with a smile, leave your tears behind. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund Clinic by mail to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P. O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 and Sherry’s House by mail to Why Me, Inc. , 1152 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602.