Maya Alessia Dronca, 7, died Thursday April 22nd, 2021 at Wolfson Children Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Maya was born on August 27th, 2013 in Rochester, Minnesota, to Roxana and Serban Dronca. Maya attended the Montessori School in Rochester, MN through her pre-K years and thereafter the Bolles School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Maya was a sweet and loving daughter to us, a kind and protective big sister to Natalie, and she was loved deeply by her extended family, teachers, and friends.

In her short time on Earth, Maya was able to touch everyone in a meaningful and personal way. She was always the first to say hello, give a hug, welcome new friends. She was so beautiful and perfect; she loved rainbows, unicorns, the sun, and Florida beaches. Maya had many hobbies and interests; she loved math and science, was fascinated by nature, build hundreds of Legos, and adored going to school and learning new things. Maya was a member of the Romanian Orthodox Church and faith was very important to her. She is survived by her parents, Roxana and Serban Dronca; her sister, Natalie; her grandparents, Vasile and Monica Dronca; her aunt and uncle, Mihaela and Andrew Zhou; her aunt and cousin, Liana and Ariadna Olariu; along with several extended family members.

Maya’s life was brief, but her spirit should be cherished and honored through an upcoming Maya Alessia Dronca Memorial Foundation. This will be created to keep her light shining and continue her legacy. The MAYA DRONCA FOUNDATION has been created to support charitable organizations engaged in childhood cancer research as a memorial to our beloved daughter, Maya Alessia Dronca, who passed away at age 7 from an aggressive brain tumor. Maya’s life was brief, but her spirit, love, compassion, and sunshine she radiated every single day was truly special and has touched the lives of everyone around her. This Foundation is created to honor her legacy by keeping her light shining and continuing the fight for other children and their families. In the last few decades, incredible strides have been made in cancer research, but there remains much to do, especially for childhood malignancies. Our vision is to increase the awareness and funding for pediatric cancer and help support clinicians and research scientists develop new treatments that can be quickly transferred to the clinic and offer children real time cutting edge therapeutic options.

Until the Foundation website is fully operational, we welcome donations to help fund innovative childhood cancer research by check or money wire to:

Maya Dronca Foundation (UPDATED Address 6/5/2021)

Federal ID No: 86-6770968

Chase Bank/ Routing No: 267084131/ Account No: 438710142

830 A1A North, Suite 13, Box 225

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Visitation will be from 7-9 PM Sunday, April 25, at Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home. A Christian Burial Service will be officiated by Father Stefan Stoleru at 3.30 PM Monday, April 26, 2021 at Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Center in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Celebration of life reception will be at 6 PM, Monday April 26 at The Palm Valley Barn, 154 Canal Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32082.

Both the visitation on Sunday evening and the funeral service on Monday will be livestreamed directly below this obituary beginning approximately ten minutes before each service.