Finlay Murphy Nayler

Finlay Murphy Nayler took his last breath at 4:03 a.m. on Sunday, January 23rd, at home surrounded by the people who loved him most in the world. Fin is preceded in death by his beloved father, Gary Andrew Nayler. He leaves behind his mother, Darcy, his siblings and best friends, Liam and Maeve. Fin leaves behind numerous family members and friends whose lives will never be the same.

Fin was a true example of you die how you lived—boy, did Fin prove that till his last breath. Fin fought the beast rhabdomyosarcoma for 905 days. Finlay, by definition, means fair-haired warrior, and he lived up to his name. We would like to thank all the medical staff, especially at Cardinal Glennon, Crossroads  and Wings, who received the majority of Fin’s feisty and tenacious spirit during his fight. This journey has taught so many in our world that our kids deserve more: only 4% of cancer research goes to children’s cancer. How much more magical would the earth be if there was a cure for all these terrible childhood cancers?

Fin, thank you for 17 magical years. You taught everyone around you so much. From the beginning, you demonstrated that being yourself is the only way to be. Fin loved and was loved so fiercely. From the beginning, he beat to his own drum. Fin loved history (especially the Vikings), taking dares, climbing anything (especially trees), anime, his dogs, lacrosse, boxing, sneaking out of the house, and stirring the pot (especially when it came to politics!). Fin loved his family and friends without hesitation, especially his beloved younger cousins. 

Services: On Friday, January 28th, there will be a visitation for those touched by Fin’s life, held in the Great Hall at Ambruster Chapel from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held in the Great Hall on Saturday January 29th at 9:30 a.m., and Interment at Valhalla Cemetery following.

As a family, we noticed that teenagers were not the focus of donations to children in the hospital. We ask in Fin's memory that you bring something that would keep you or your favorite teen entertained if you/they had to be at the hospital. Fin loved the "older Legos," such as the architect sets. If Legos would not bring you joy in the hospital, please donate what would—an adult coloring book, an individual video game, stress ball, or what you would enjoy. The Bennett Project, who has been very generous to our family, will distribute the items to the cancer floors at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital (where Fin fought), St.Louis Children’s Hospital and at Mercy.

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation please do so to the Bennett project or to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, who graciously covered Finlay’s expensive genetic testing and is involved in childhood cancer research.

The Family would like to invite you to share photos and memories of Fin here on his Memorial page. Please submit your photos to AmbrusterChapel@yahoo.com.

To view shared photos, please click on the following link: Photo album

Please click following link to view Funeral Service.

Please click following link to view : Interment at Valhalla Cemetery