Loving Memory

Tori's Obituary

Our beloved Tori Schmanski passed away Saturday, November 7, 2009 and is now dancing with angels.

Tori was a beautiful and vibrant person who had an incredibly positive and inspirational impact on so many people during her short time with us all. She was very compassionate, a remarkable leader and her wonderful smile and charismatic personality naturally drew others to her. Her life revolved around her friends and family whom she loved so dearly. She will live eternally in the hearts of all she touched.

She was also independent, very intelligent, articulate, athletic and confident in her abilities which allowed her to excel academically and in everything else she pursued including her passion for dance. In addition she enjoyed snowboarding, family vacations, computers and the internet, listening to and writing music, all of her amazing friends and lastly boys much to the dismay of her parents at times... She had an ardent zest for life and celebrated it with each and every moment.

Tori was truly a hero who chose the utmost sacrifice of her life when faced with extreme adversity. True to her character, she always thought of and placed others before herself and we are forever grateful for her courage and unselfish act of love in helping her sister and cousin first and foremost on that tragic Father's Day, June 19, 2005 where Tori sustained an anoxic brain injury that took her livelihood but not her incredible strength, determination and will to live. Tori, thank you so much, you are the ultimate example of how we should all lead our lives and you will forever be in our hearts and souls.

For the thousands of caring and devoted people who have followed Tori's story (www.pray4tori.com) over the past 52 months we would sincerely like to thank you all for the love, prayers and support you have provided for Tori and our family. We are truly blessed and your presence was felt each and every day. Every one of you has made a dramatic impact on our lives. Words cannot really express how eternally grateful, appreciative and thankful we are for everything that has been done for Tori and our family.

We would like to extend a very special thank you to all of those who provided care and support for Tori including her home nurses, therapists and teachers and especially the outstanding and unsurpassed medical staff at the Primary Children’s Medical Center and Shriner's Hospital in SLC. All of you are truly angels among us.

Tori is survived by her mother Maria (Harris) and father Tim, siblings Whitney and Brendan as well as her grandparents Paul and Sandy Schmanski, and Rex and Lois Harris of Delta, UT. Additionally Tori is survived by numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins and incredibly caring and supportive friends. Thank you to ‘The Dance Club’ girls and families whom we love so much!

We love you Tori and know you are whole so dance, dance, dance once more!!




"Victoria" by John Mayer
Don't know why Tori came by
I could see by the look in her eyes
Tori'd been driving around the town for awhile
Playing with the thought of leaving

Don't know why Tori just smiled
Mentioned something 'bout how you were right
Must have been hard to see through the tears she was hiding
She said "I might not be seeing him soon
I got a few things I've been waiting to do"

Hey, Tori came by, Tori came by tonight
Hey, Tori came by, she says to say goodbye

Looked outside at the car in the drive
And the suitcase on the backseat inside
Sure it's so, she can't look out behind at the road
She said "I might not be seein him soon
I've got a few things I've been waiting to do"

Hey, Tori came by, Tori came by tonight
Hey, Tori came by, she says to say goodbye

Don't look down, she seemed alright
You might be asking where is Tori tonight
Somewhere out on the highway
I'm sure that SHE'S FINE


"We dance for laughter,
we dance for tears,
we dance for madness,
we dance for fears,
we dance for hopes,
we dance for screams
we are the dancers,
we create the dreams!"

"We love you Tori, we will always dance for you!"

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Pray4Tori.com