Kaylani Stormi Gomez-Rodriguez

Kaylani Stormy Gomez was born to parents Juan Gomez and Jazmin Rodriguez in Albuquerque, NM on January 5, 2020. She was born with a congenital heart defect that required open-heart surgery two weeks after her birth. The surgery temporarily repaired her heart but led to several weeks of recovery. The doctors said she would need a second heart surgery once she got stronger. Her parents stayed by her side and cared for her throughout her time in the hospital.

She was able to go home for two and a half months. During her time at home, she was on a feeding tube but gradually grew bigger and stronger. With devoted and loving parents, she was happy and very interactive. She had a playful nature and loved her toys. She was born with 11 fingers, all of which she loved to suck. Her parents periodically shared photos of Kaylani that endeared her to their entire circle of family and friends.

She returned to the hospital in Albuquerque for her second surgery, which put her tiny body in crisis. She was transferred to the Denver Children's Hospital while on life support. There she and her doctors fought valiantly until her heart and lungs could function on their own. Sadly though, her kidneys failed. After a period of dialysis her condition worsened. She battled bravely for weeks against insurmountable odds. Surrounded by family, she died peacefully in her parents' arms on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

During her short life, Kaylani exhibited a big heart – physically and figuratively. Her fighting spirit in the face of suffering gave her parents the courage to fight along with her. They loved her absolutely and never lost hope. They were committed to embracing any lifelong challenge that her survival might have brought, and when tragedy struck, they were quick to express gratitude for the outpouring of family support. In her brief and troubled seven months of life, Kaylani inspired and enlightened all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Kaylani is survived by maternal grandparents, Ana Perez and Rodolfo Rodriguez; paternal grandparents, Adam Smith and Andrea Gomez; by great-grandparents, Rosa Provencio and Humberto Rodriguez, Fidelina Gomez, and Ronn and Linda Smith; by uncles, Sebastian and Alex Smith, Carlos and Gibran Rodriquez; and by aunt, Arely Rodriguez.