Aria Rozalia Szumetz

Aria Rozalia Szumetz was our beautiful, sweet baby, born with great joy at Forbes hospital in Monroeville, PA on February 18 2016. Shortly after her birth, the doctors discovered a heart condition that was not prenatally diagnosed. We left immediately for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the care of their excellent team of Cardiologists and Cardiac ICU nurses and staff. Aria was diagnosed with a complicated congenital heart defect called Shones Complex that affected many parts of the anatomy of her left ventricle. She went on to have 8 bypass surgeries, 3 pericardial effusions, 2 diaphragm plications, a G tube placement, and 2 types of Ventricular Assist Devices. In spite of everything, throughout her journey she was able to spend precious time with her sister Amelia (7) and brother Emery (4) at home and in peace. Her eyes shown with life and spirit, so big, blue and vibrant, and a wise comprehension that defied her age. Her strawberry pigtails bounced as she played and laughed. Sitting up to play with books and eating cheese curls was her favorite pastime, along with watching Frozen and Mother Goose Nursey Rhyme songs. Most of all she loved people – her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and her staff of doctors, nurses, and therapists – she lit up in the presence of her loved ones. Although her path to transplant didn’t end as planned, her spirit has touched each of us and her soul is at peace with her Heavenly Father who created her to be the most wonderful representation of God’s love for us on this earth that we could have ever asked for. We have faith that she was an angel on earth we were blessed to have for her 16months. We love you Aria and you will always, always live on in our hearts as you watch from Heaven!