Our sweet Eliza Ruth Pavia took her last breath on Monday, January 5, 2026, and is now with our Heavenly Father.

On April 22, 2005, a beautiful and strong Eliza Ruth Pavia was born to Jenny (Cottle) and Michael Pavia in Orem, Utah. Eliza was pure sunshine. She was a spark of joy, bringing light to everyone around her. No one could come in contact with her and not feel the happiness she brought. She spent the first seventeen years of her life sharing her brightness widely with others; the last three years were spent sharing that light more closely and constantly with her family. Her little body fought hard these last 20 years as she overcame challenges with strength, happiness, and the light of her Savior.

Eliza loved chocolate and Dolly Parton. She cherished time with her dad watching Heartland (along with every Disney show ever made), making daily video and phone calls with those she loved, and being tucked in each night with a blessing from her dad. Eliza felt her mother's constant love through morning wake-ups, pancakes and waffles with syrup, doing hair and makeup together, singing, and going everywhere together, side by side.

Eliza's joy was contagious, from her knock-knock jokes to her classic lines: "Yeperdoodle!" and the perfectly timed "Guess what? You're it!" Eliza impacted family, friends, neighbors, and everyone who crossed her path. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Nursery.

She attended Westlake High School, where she became known for her kindness, great humor, and the way she could lift and influence a room in an instant. Eliza took part in the peer tutor program, was a standout at unified track and field, and had an unmatched gift for quoting movies and television. She had an amazing talent for anticipating words before they were spoken; she had a gift for noticing people, making them laugh, and helping them feel seen.

Above all, Eliza was an accomplished and amazing daughter, sister, and the very best aunt. She brought joy and happiness to everyone she came in contact with, and her family will carry her light forward.

Eliza is survived by those who loved and took care of her every day: her parents, Michael and Jenny (Cottle) Pavia; her older brother, Andrew Pavia and his wife, Emma (Witman); her older sister, Emma and her husband, David (Root) and their boys, Louis and George; her younger sister, Lydia Pavia; and her younger brother, William Pavia.

Service Information

A viewing will be held Monday, January 12, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Tuesday, January 13, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. at the Saratoga Springs Utah North Stake Center, 2256 N Providence Dr, Saratoga Springs, UT. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, January 13, at 11:00 am at the same church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eliza's memory here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-eliza-ruth-pavia

Thank you for all the love and prayers. ❤️