Alessia

My name is Cathy Verduci, and as Mare’s cousin, I am deeply honoured to read today’s eulogy on behalf of our beloved Alessia’s family.

Alessia, my love, my life, my daughter.
The brightest love always shined through you.

You were strong, courageous, beautiful, loving, curious, funny, smart, and charismatic, and we are so proud to say you are ours. Your beautiful smile and infectious laugh were so pure and full of life. You loved everyone, and you showed it and everyone loved you. You were the popular girl. You had such an effect on people.

Alessia, you had so many names…
Alesina, baby dolly girl, Bella, little Miss, Lessy Lou, Lupina, Pina, Chechena, little peach, Licky Lee, mamma and little mom.

Your doctors and nurses adored you, and you always made sure to wave “bye-bye” and “all done,” leaving smiles on their faces.

You were fierce in your love for life, and our hearts were always fullest when we were with you. Our reason, our purpose, was you, my love.

Seventeen years ago, at the Royal Alexandria hospital, on April 21, 2009, at 12:58 p.m., God gave us the most beautiful gift parents could ask for a sweet little angel. You were our best friend, so perfect and we knew you put all your trust in us to care for you. We felt it. We will miss our fun car rides for hours and our early mornings and late nights. Making you laugh so hard that you had tears in your eyes. You always knew how to bug your big brother, making us laugh. These are some of the things that brought us the greatest joy.

Everyone always fell in love with your beautiful, luscious hair that your dad gave you and big brown eyes given from your mom. People were naturally drawn to you, but your personality was entirely your own. You were the bravest and most courageous baby doll that ever existed, right down to your tiny little pinches, pulling us in to talk in your ear and your big kisses. But most of all we were all amazed how strong you were, physically and mentally.

You woke up with a smile on your face regardless of the battles you were facing. Your voice echoed not only through our home, but through our hearts, our community, and all over the world.

After another stay in the hospital, on Wednesday, May 27, although you were only 17, Jesus let us know through you that it was your time.

No matter how much we miss you, we know you are in the arms of your grandpa Vince and Situ Siham (Sit-too See-ham) and of course, God.

We know you are running now and doing all of the things you couldn’t do here on earth, because that is the way your life was always meant to be.

We were blessed to be with you every day. Captivated by your charm, being in your presence was an escape from the world that we wrapped ourselves in. You were all we talked about. You were every picture we took. Our lives revolved around you, and you were the driving force behind everything we did.

Our purpose feels gone, and we are lost without you. But your memory will forever be a blessing that we carry in our hearts. Until we meet again my sweet love. We will miss you; we adore you; we will love you always and forever. A piece of our hearts is with you forever.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to Alessia’s many doctors, nurses, and healthcare team at the Stollery Hospital, especially the metabolic genetics team, Dr. Shailly Jain (Shay-Lee Jane), Dr. Alicia Chan (A-Lee-Se-ah), and Dr. Kumodi Siriwardena (Kuh-modi Seeri-war-deena), whose compassion and dedication helped care for her every step of the way.

The family would like to thank Alessia’s caregivers, who faithfully showed up for her not only for support but friendship and fun. Her family, whose love knows no bounds and who always showed up when Alessia needed it most.

Most especially, we honour her parents, Maria and Peter, and her big brother, Adriano, whose unwavering devotion was a living example of sacrificial love. Their love was constant and enduring.

Today we lay to rest Alessia Carmela Maria Estephan, a beautiful, special young woman who is loved by so many and will forever be missed. Her mom, her dad, her big brother, Adriano, her step-parents, her nonna Giuseppina, her Jid-oo George, her uncles, aunts, and cousins will forever miss Alessia’s beautiful smile, her sweet laugh, and her gentle way. We want to thank everyone for being here today, for your love, your prayers, and your support. May Alessia rest in eternal peace. God bless her always. Until we meet again. We love you, Alessia.