UPDATED: Wake and Funeral Arrangements

Update:  Reception information added below.

There can’t be much worse things to do than to plan the funeral for your child.  As Julianne and I sat with the funeral director, I thought how unnatural it is to be looking at a casket so small.  And yet, there was a conflicting feeling I had of how beautiful the casket is and how the dress that we have picked out for Isabella would look so nice in it. 

As we toured the cemetery, again, I had conflicting and polarizing feelings as we tried to pick the perfect spot where Isabella would spend forever.  The lack of sleep and appetite caused waves of nausea and I just wanted to go home.  I just wanted to hug Isabella one more time.

Anyway, here is what we finally settled on.  I do hope that as many people as possible can come out and help us remember Isabella.

I should also note that we are encouraging everyone to dress in bright and vivid colors to the activities.  As you know, Isabella loved the rainbow’s colors (especially purple), so let’s shower her with colors.

Wake

The wake will be held at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT on Wednesday, September 26 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.  I would like to add that we are planning an open casket because we wanted everyone to see how beautiful Isabella is for one last time.  Parents may want to prepare their children.

Map:  http://goo.gl/maps/g7bQ3

Funeral

The funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT on Thursday, September 27 at 10:00am.  This was the church where Isabella was baptized and had her first communion.

Map:  http://goo.gl/maps/B0JUJ

Burial

The burial will immediately follow the mass at Fairfield Memorial Park, 230 Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford, CT.  Roneil’s dad, grandmother, grandfather, and uncle are also buried here so it’ll be nice that she’ll be with other family.

Map:  http://goo.gl/maps/b3BB0

Reception

A family friend has graciously offered their house to host the reception, which will immediately follow the burial.  The reception will be held at 61 Cove Ave., Norwalk, CT.  All are welcome.

Map:  http://goo.gl/maps/uNOoB

“We Have All Been Touched”

Author’s Note: We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from everyone.  Please check back over the weekend for details on services for Isabella.  In the meantime, please enjoy the following post which I was planning on posting last night.

We heard from Marvin school officials that they really wanted to do something for Pediatric Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and to also honor Isabella in some way (ed. note: They had already planned to do something for Isabella before she passed away.).  To raise awareness, they distributed gold ribbon pins to everyone and they had all the children color a gold ribbon and provide examples of Courage, Caring, Hope, and Love.  This was all part of the “We Have All Been Touched” campaign.

To honor Isabella, the school is selling purple butterflies (Isabella’s favorite color, of course!), which you can customize any way you want and these would then be hung all over the school.  Proceeds from the sale will be donated to help fund research to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

Last night, Marvin had their open house night and it was our first chance to visit the school and we also decided to bring Isabella.  When we got to the school, we were not prepared to see the amazing display of gold ribbons and purple butterflies that decorated the hallways.  I wish we had the time to sit and read every one of the children’s writings because many of them were poignant, insightful, and downright sweet.  Some brought us to tears.

We are forever grateful to the Marvin community which has provided so much support throughout the years.

Goodbye Isabella

At 5:15pm today, Isabella took her last breath. She died comfortably, surrounded by her family and lots of love. May an army of angels lead her into heaven.

Please Pray for Isabella

She is not doing well right now. Please pray for her and us that we have the strength to get through this.

What Makes You Beautiful

As part of pediatric cancer awareness month, the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta created the video below. It includes a bunch of kids, nurses and doctors singing to One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful".

Pass it on! :)