Lydia Schaeffer

Lydia Schaeffer

Lydia Schaeffer was granted her angel wings on Mothers Day, May 11, 2014, following a life with Kleefstra syndrome, epilepsy and autism. Lydias family was blessed to have her a little over seven years before she was taken to her heavenly home.

Lydias life has changed us beyond what we ever could have anticipated and we learned so much during her short time with us. She taught us about patience, what its like to be inspired and most of all we were blessed to witness miracles that otherwise we may have been too busy to notice. We learned about acceptance and that its wrong to judge others based on looks or because their talents in life are different than ours. We also learned that there is a thing called unconditional love.

Lydia possessed an immense amount of strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome incredible odds and physical challenges. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. She could spend hours rocking in her favorite chair, playing with her toys that lit up and played songs or flicking her favorite toy. Her favorite calming song You Are My Sunshine was sang to her from birth it was the only song she often found comfort in.

With Lydias passing we remind others that her life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss her everyday and she will forever remain in our hearts, through her teachings about life we were able to create wonderful memories and it has been a privilege and honor to have her in our lives.

Left to honor her life and to mourn her death are her loving parents, Tom and Sally Schaeffer; brothers, Devin and Grant Schaeffer; maternal grandparents, Tom Poppa and Sue Nonni Weslager; paternal grandparents, Rick and Ann Schaeffer; uncles, Robert Blume, Scott Blume, and Brian Blume; aunts, Roxanne, Paula and Charity and cousins Jason, Christopher, Travis, Kristin, Scott Jr., Lauren, Sarah, Kyle, Peyton and Alex, along with uncle, Rick Schaeffer, and aunts, AnnMarie and Elizabeth Schaeffer.

Lydia leaves behind many wonderful caregivers that provided love and support that enhanced her quality of life. Lydias love extends to her wonderful special needs Au Pairs, Sarah Verhuelsdonk, Lisa Schneider, Tina Johansson and Clara Otto. There is a very special place in our hearts for all of Lydias wonderful and loving respite providers, therapists, teachers and aides. Finally, we are grateful for The Special Needs Program and their staff at Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin for their care of Lydia.

Preceding her in death and there to welcome her home are her great grandparents Alfred and Evelyn Ortis and Lillian and Walter Carney.

Lydias visitation will be held Friday, May 16, from

4 - 8 p.m. at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home in Burlington, Wis. Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Burlington, Wis., along with a burial and luncheon afterward to celebrate her wonderful, fulfilled life she led.

Donations in her memory may be made to a soon to be announced foundation to help patients seeking CBD oil as an epilepsy treatment by going to www.lovinglydia.com. Donations can also be made to Lydias Lucky Charms walk/run team for Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin by going to http://events.chw.org/goto/lydia.

Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory

625 S. Browns Lake Drive

Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3434

www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com