Liam McIlvaine, 22 months, died October 1st, 2013, with his parents by his side, at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Liam was extremely strong; enduring many hospital stays and open heart surgeries in his battle with congenital heart defects. Liam had a contagious smile and his parents were his very best friends. He loved to cuddle with his mommy; and, his dad could make him laugh like no other. His road ahead was fated to contain many more hospital stays, more open heart surgeries, and a lifetime of medical management. We take comfort in knowing that Liam will no longer suffer. We will now, and forever, have the most beautiful, strong and awesome guardian angel.
Liam is survived by his parents, Chris and Jen (Coriale) McIlvaine; his grandparents, Ruthann McIlvaine, Doris and Henry Austin, Tom and Nancy Coriale; his great-grandmother, Donna Jacques; his aunts and uncles, Janeen Coriale, Lorie and Mike Christopher, Jill McIlvaine, Jon and Carey-Lynn McIlvaine; his godparents, Samantha (Ritchie) Taylor and Jeff McIlvaine; many great aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends who have become like family. Liam was greeted in heaven by his paternal grandfather, David McIlvaine; and great grandparents, Albert Jacques, Helen and Sam Coriale.
The family will receive Liam’s friends and family at Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, 17 Earlington Avenue, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 from 6-9pm on Sunday, October 6th and 9-10:00am on Monday, October 7th. A mass will be held at the same location at 10:30am on Monday, October 7th. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made in memory of Liam to The Cardiac Center at CHOP. Donations can be made online at www.giftofchildhood.org or checks, made payable to 'The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation' with 'In memory of Liam McIlvaine' written in the memo line, can be mailed to: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation - Lockbox #1352, P.O. Box 8500, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352.
Tributes
Leave a tributeLove, Aunt Kathy
Aunt Kathy
We will keep swimming for you and we will love you forever.
The sadness of losing Liam and the blessing of Finn........ God wanted an angel to watch over your family. What a brave little boy Liam!!
I love you.
Aunt Kathy
Aunt Janet and Uncle Rick
My prayers and thoughts have been with you the last two days. Your angel has touched so many lives in the short time he was here, and he left in my heart a special memory that will always be with me. I think of all of you every day. I love you.
Aunt Kathy
I think you all three of you every time I go to work. When I see the beautiful artwork Jen painted on our ceiling tiles (the transformer always being my favorite), when I hear the name Liam, and when I go into room 3 and when I drive by the child care center in the parking lot. Your beautiful family touch my soul and I will always remember. I pray for the best for you! With all of my love, Nurse Kim
For you and your family and friends:
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.
'Death is nothing at all' ~ Canon Henry Scott Holland of St. Paul's Cathedral
This is YOUR special Mother's Day as well!
I will never forget, and you will always be Liam's mom while he is in heaven smiling down on you!
Much Respect and Love,
Ann
God bless you all and may He tenderly comfort you today and always.