When we were considering growing our family, we asked Connie if she wanted a Brother or Sister, and she replied right away that she wanted 2 sisters like her friend. Two healthy beautiful sisters are exactly what she got - Sofie and Simona. Connie loved them right away, and wanted to include them in everything, even when together they could be a handful at times - she recognized and accepted their personalities completely.

Many nights when Marco arrived home from work, Connie often asked him how his day was and "how many houses did you sell today?" When he didn't always know, she didn't like that. She was very Proud of the businesses that her Father, her Uncles and Grandparents ran. She had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and looked forward to working with her cousins one day…something that we will never forget!

She also had an eye for the Nicer things in life... something she must have picked up from her mother. But Connie did it in a beautiful Way of Appreciation and never with Snobbery or Judgment of others.

Unfortunately, just under a year ago, Connie and our family received a serious diagnosis that another dear friend of hers just received. This became a journey of understanding more of who Connie truly is. Eleven months ago (from passing on) today, we entered the Hospital Downtown Toronto and began to wait for an MRI throughout the day, into an evening, then asked to return the following day. During all this waiting, Connie was continually apologizing to us for having to wait through this. It was so extremely evident how unselfish she was, how Considerate she was - too much so. Even when she began the journey and we told her we wished to switch places with her if we could, she would always say NO, and that kids heal better than older people anyway. She remained Strong, Faithful, and Determined to get better. A big driving force was that she was hopeful to be an example of getting better for other kids with the same diagnoses to follow.

The questions she had for us and doctors were unbelievably smart. All the many doctors and nurses through these 11 months Completely fell in Love with her. They cared for Connie in ways they told us they haven't for anyone else. How Connie acted with dignity and strength during this time of her life showed us how further special she truly was in every way.

While spending much time in Boston Children's Hospital, we truly saw many families with unwell Children…many of which have been sick from birth and very, very young ages. We witnessed the pain and struggle in many of those parents also, and are thankful to almighty God, that although much, much too young, that Thank You God for allowing us to parent Connie’s truly special Body and Soul for almost 9 years that she was here with us.

Something that has helped us the last few days was what we tried best to simply explain to Sofie and Simona. As they have both witnessed Connie unwell in a Hospital setting over the last few months, we let them know that Connie's "Big Buoa" that the doctors worked to fix, Only God could fix in Heaven. They responded with questions like, “Is she all Good now, Walking better, Eyes Better, No more tubes, and now with wings?” To all those questions, we replied Yes... Simona and Sofie were much, much happier!! They only thing is that they are asking if Connie can go for a little while only, as they want her back. Eventually...something that we will try to explain, we will all meet again one day.

We are forever grateful for all of the love and support we have received from all of you during this time. Michela’s family has been so important helping us through this, especially watching and caring for Sofie and Simona. To Marco’s brothers and their wives, we also thank you for your love and for supporting all of the hospital medical interventions for our Dear Connie without a second thought! We will continue to make a difference in this disease!!

Lastly and most importantly is our family’s love and faith.

Connie, from all of us, you will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be forgotten and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you FOREVER and FOREVER and FOREVER.