Harrison Tavana

Harrison Dennis Lauleleioamoa Tavana passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by those who love him most on March 1, 2021 at the tender age of 7, following a 6-month battle with brain cancer. Harrison was born in Provo, Utah on December 20, 2013 to parents, DeeDee and Dennis Tavana.

All who knew Harrison, loved him. He made friends everywhere he went. He had friends of all ages and would carry on a conversation for hours if you let him. His best friends were his family. He absolutely adored his mom, she was everything to him. She was his mommy, nurse, teacher, confidant, and so much more. His daddy was his hero. To him, daddy could do everything and fix anything. They shared their love for airplanes and travel. He loved his sisters. His bond with each of them was unique but he loved them all equally. They were his biggest cheerleaders. Kenna was his best friend and protector. Taytay was the entertainer and would always dance and sing to make him happy. Maddie, although younger, was his nurse and caretaker. She made sure Harrison had everything he needed. They all adored their brother and he them. Home and spending time with family was Harrison’s happy place.

Relationships and family were very important to Harrison. He brought both sides of his family together so he could see everyone. He had a special bond with each of his grandparents. He loved to work in the yard and build things with his Papa John and loved reading scriptures and learning about the gospel with grandma Jeanette. He loved making paper airplanes and shared his love for Math and Science with Papa Gaugau and loved mama Palagi because she always fed him and made sure he had all of his favorite snacks for his ride up to Salt Lake for his treatments.

Reading and learning were two of Harrison’s favorite things to do. Harrison attended Spring Creek elementary and was in the 1st grade, he loved school. He excelled in Math and learned how to multiply in Kindergarten. He wanted to be a Scientist, an archaeologist or a paleontologist and most recently a marine biologist. He loved to dance and always knew the latest dance moves. He would have loved to be a Polynesian dancer, he loved his Polynesian heritage. He was so happy when his ward put on a luau for him and the special presentation he received from the Polynesian Cultural Center. He had a gift for learning languages. He learned how to count in Samoan, Spanish, Japanese, and Maori as soon as he could talk. His cancer took away his ability to speak so his mom taught him how to sign. In the end he kept signing the word HOME, he just wanted to go home to be with his family. We were grateful that he could come home before he left for his home in Heaven.

In his short life, he taught us resilience when faced with adversity. Harrison battled a very aggressive brain cancer with resilience and fortitude that inspired all who knew him and of his story. He was our superhero, so brave and strong. His faith was absolutely inspiring. On bad days, he would reflect on President Nelson’s message on the healing power of gratitude. He was grateful for so much. He was grateful for his family, ward, neighbors, friends, doctors, the temple, and prayer. He prayed often and said lots of silent, sweet, honest and sincere prayers. On especially hard days he asked his Heavenly Father to help him endure his pain.

Something Harrison will always be remembered for is his big heart, beautiful smile and great hair. His smile could light up a room. He loved to smile and loved to make other people smile. He also had the most contagious laugh. He loved to tell jokes and referred to himself as Jester Harrison. He always had the best haircuts and was devasted when we had to cut his hair short for his treatments.

Our love for our sweet boy is eternal as is our family. Our hearts are broken but we find comfort in knowing that this separation is temporary. We look forward to the day we will see him again but know he is dancing, singing, riding his bike and eating sushi with Aunty Chels and all of our loved ones who have passed on.

Never to be forgotten, Harrison is survived by his parents, DeeDee and Dennis Tavana, his three sisters Kennadee, Tatum, and Maddison, his grandparents, Jeanette and John Mataali'i and Fiapapalagi and Namulauulu Gaugau Tavana, aunts, uncles, and several cousins who all love and adore him. We will miss him deeply.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.walkersanderson.com.