Fiona Mali passed away on September 11, 2025, at the age of 19. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, she was the cherished daughter of Mimoza Shabani and Florent Mali, and the beloved sister of Matthew Mali.

A graduate of Newton North High School, Fiona was in her sophomore year at the University of Rhode Island, where she was building a life filled with promise, friendship, and possibility.

Those who knew Fiona will never forget her radiant smile and piercing blue eyes, her kindness, humor, intelligence, and deep sensitivity. She was a social butterfly, the glue that held her close-knit group of high school friends together. "Fiona was the best of us," one friend remembers. "She was always the one who tried hardest to do the right thing, to be a good person."

She cherished long nights with friends spent in her bedroom — conversations that could swing from silly to soulful in a heartbeat."She was full of contradictions," another friend remembers. "Goofy and hilarious, but also wise beyond her years."

Fiona loved being outdoors and exploring the world with those closest to her. She and her friends traveled to Maine and Cape Cod, camped in central Massachusetts, and spent endless summer hours leaping from rope swings into lakes.

Her family was her heart, her constant source of love and belonging. With her mother, Fiona shared a deep connection — a love of music, of exploring new places, and of discovering beauty in the world together. Their travels led them to many cherished destinations, but Sedona, Arizona shone brightest in Fiona's memory, a place where, beneath the vast desert sky, she felt as if she could touch the stars. With her father, she shared a quiet strength and an unspoken understanding, a bond that went beyond words. She loved skiing with her dad and couldn't wait to go back on the slopes with him. And with her brother Matthew, she shared the rare and joyful closeness only siblings can know — built on laughter, trust, and a love that will never fade.

Though her life was heartbreakingly short, Fiona's resilience was remarkable. She faced challenges with courage and strength that inspired everyone around her. It came as no surprise that she was drawn to social work, law, and criminal justice — fields where she could be a voice for others. "She wanted to help people," said a childhood friend. "Whether it was supporting someone struggling with mental health or reuniting families, she wanted to be the person others could lean on."

She was also endlessly passionate — whether reciting rap lyrics word-for-word, quoting entire scenes from movies and shows, or diving deep into new interests that would capture her imagination for weeks. Music, above all, was her great love. She delighted in sharing new artists with her friends — a gift that continues to connect them in her absence.

Above all, Fiona loved her family with all her heart, and they loved her back more than words can ever express. She leaves behind her parents, Mimoza and Florent; her brother, Matthew; her grandmother; her aunts and uncle; her cousins; and a circle of friends whose lives are forever brightened because of her presence.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Newton followed by interment in Newton Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, September 17th from 4-7PM in the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St. West Newton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fiona's memory to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, New England Chapter https://aafa.org/get-involved/give-donate