Amanda Lee Head, 37 of Batesville, entered eternal peace to our heavenly home February 18, 2022, at 4:11 p.m. at Manderley Health Care Center. She was born to Krista Patrick and Michael Head on February 28, 1984.
Amanda leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her mother Krista Patrick; stepfather Edgar Patrick; sister Jessica Williams; son Jayden Boedicker; daughter Libby Boedicker; nephews Max and Oliver Williams and is proceeded in death by her father Michael Head.
Amanda was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia at the age of 9. As time progressed there were more and more things Amanda could not do herself but when her family looked at her, they seldom saw what she couldn’t do. No, they saw the many things she could do. She could smile. She could laugh. She could feel unbridled happiness. She could love without condition. She could show her love without ever saying a word. Not everyone has those abilities. That wasn’t a problem for Amanda. She could express her love with a look, with a smile, with a very distinct laugh. Love isn’t only shared through words. Love is much deeper than words.
There were more things she could do. She inspired others to try harder. By seeing her work hard to overcome her own challenges, it reminded others to work harder as well. She helped teach us about our own strengths and gifts in this way. She also taught us how to be happy because she took joy in simple things – joy in seeing her family. We could look to her for an example of perseverance and inner strength, as she continued to fight battles in health and limitations that would crush many of us. She showed us what it is to be strong, because strength is not just found in being the biggest, the toughest or the fastest. Strength is found in one who keeps on going, keeps trying, day after day, long after others give up. Strength is found in one who knows success isn’t always big and flashy but knows that sometimes the greatest success is found in the tiniest of victories. In this way, she was a hero – who kept on going, day after day, through the best times and through the hardest times.
Just think of all the gifts that Amanda gave us. Through her vulnerabilities she gave us the gift of insight and showed us things we might otherwise have missed. She helped us to see the beautiful soul of her family. Her family – the ones who bore most of the caretaking tasks while growing up and her family at Manderley towards the end, day after day, month after month. It is a special kind of dedication that enables people to put their own lives on hold so they can do everything possible to care for their loved one. It shows a deep, unrelenting love for a person to say, “If you need help, I will help you. If you cannot talk, I will be your voice. If you cannot stand, I will support you. If you cannot walk, I will carry you. I am here for you, and I will stay with you through it all.” That’s just what her family did, and it’s what so many families do for their loved ones every day.
Amanda gave us the gift of perspective. She reminded us that most of our problems are not really problems, and to be grateful for what we have. We must savor the sweet, beautiful moments we have every day, because ultimately life is fragile and someday all too soon, we must say goodbye.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 25th, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home with cremation afterwards. The family requests memorials be made to the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (www.curefa.org). For online condolences go to www.weigelfh.com.