Angelica Tafoya Obituary

Angie, Yvonne and Family,

I am so deeply sorry for your lose. Angelica was a beautiful girl. I can't imagine the pain she felt but I applaud her for being such a brave little girl at such a young age. I remember the babyshower Yvonne through for Angie, I think I was only six or seven. But I can still remember how happy Angie and the rest of the Tafoya family was. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I'm sad to say that it took me over three months to sign this guest book. I guess i wasn't exactly ready to see the fact that my Jelly Bean was gone. But now, I have come to see that she wouldn't want us to stop our lives to mourn her passing. So I chose to just pause it. I now realize that she lived a great life, even though she suffered greatly. Now when I think of her, which happens almost all the time, I only have happy thoughts. She was a great, beautiful, loving little girl. She may have had the attitude of an adult, but that's what made her our Jelly. Even though she was only here for a short period of time, she taught me a lot of things. She has greatly inspired me to fight this battle of life and never give up, because that's what she did. She never gave up! It's never going to be the same without her by our sides, but she has made us all a little stronger in our own ways. I am proud to say that she was one of my favorite cousins and it puts a smile on my face knowing that I can say she was an angel on earth, now she is an angel in heaven. Jelly will always hold the biggest place in my heart, and I will always admire her for the fight she put up! "Her love is like the wind, I can feel it, but I can't see it."

I LOVE YOU JELLY BEAN!!!!

Angie, Yvonne, and Family,

I was deeply saddened to hear the news that my "Boss" had left us, but I took comfort in knowing that, as you have said, she is no longer suffering, and no longer has to face the difficulties she faced while she was with us. She will live forever in my heart, and if I haven't said this before, please allow me to say this now... "Thank you for allowing me the honor of working with her and enjoying her company." It was knowing that I would see Jelly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings that made the job that much more pleasurable, and when I was told that I would be working with her at Fox Meadows, I was elated with the prospect of seeing her in Middle School. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and eventually the Army said it was time to go. I was very disappointed that it turned out this way, but God had a plan. Please know that Angelica will be in my prayers, even though I know she's already in heaven, and I will continue to pray that you and your family will find the strength to continue on.

Regards,

Carmen Smith

To Emma and Family<



I am so sorry for your families' loss. These first holidays will be hard. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of you.

Tribute to an Angel
This special poem is written for Angelica Tafoya by Mrs. Kathy Snow
Kathy was a teacher at Stratton Meadows Elementary in Colorado Springs during the time Angelica attended there.

Tribute to an Angel:
She came to us, a representation. An
ambassador of light and love.
Remember the bright times.
The laughter, the beauty,
the dignity, the grace,
the courage, the strength.
The calm presence, the thankful nature.

The little girl giggles.
The young teen attitude.
The intelligence and understanding that was inherent in her.

Visualize a motorized wheel chair,
a young lady at the controls, racing down the school hall, a look of intense concentration on her face, when our eyes meet we all break into smiles and laughter.
Remember the smile that could melt the hardest heart.
Although she left us in her youth, whe accomplished her purpose.
She'd shown us LOVE!

NOW SHE FLIES WITH THE WINGS OF AN ANGEL.

I am Yvonne Tafoya Angelica's Auntie Von. Angelica was my life and I would like to share the Eulogy that I wrote for her for those of you who did not get to attend the rosery and funeral.

Angelica was delivered by c-section on April 25, 1993. The doctors knew something was wrong right away at birth because Angelica was born with no skin on the tops of both feet and skin missing from the back of her right hand. More delicate skin was wiped away as two nurses cleaned Angelica for the first time. She was then rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit, had an I.V. put in through her umbilical cord and then was put into isolation with very strict orders. The doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital had no clue what Angelica was afflicted with. She acted as a normal newborn in every way except she was missing skin and had some blistering going on. It was approximately 24-48 hours before Dr. Weston, a Dermatologist from University Hospital in Denver, diagnosed Angelica. Dr. Weston told our family the Angelica had a very serious, very rare skin disorder called Epiderolysis Bullosa, often referred to as EB. Dr. Weston explained to our family that Angelica was missing a very important protein that we all have called Type Collagen VII, which acts as a glue that helps our skin adhere to our flesh. Dr. Weston also told us that Angelica's condition would only worsen as she gets older. 2-3 days later Angelica was transferred to Children's Hospital in Denver. The doctors and nurses at Children's Hospital showed how to care for Angelica and how to do dressing changes. Three weeks, 1 blood transfusion, several dressing changes, and a great many tears later, we were allowed to take Angelica home and learn to live the delicate, exhausting, and frustrating life of living with EB. Angelica grew to be 5 feet tall, weighted 67 pounds and was 12 1/2 years old. Angelica had the wonderful opportunity to attend 2 years of Head Start preschool at Stratton Meadows Elementary . Angelica then continued on to kindergarten and graduated 5th grade from Stratton Meadows, where I know she was deeply loved by all the staff and her peers. Angelica was expected to attend the wonderful new school at Fox Meadows Middle School , but her disorder had progressed to the next level and was given a wonderful and caring tutor by the name of Karen Burke. Karen visited Angelica on as many Monday, Wednesday and Fridays as Angelica's health would allow. Thank you Karen for all your love. Angelica was a ray of sunshine in the lives of everyone who knew her. I would always describe Angelica as a people magnet. People were always drawn to angelica everywhere we went. Because of this attraction people would always come up to us and ask about Angelica, and before the end of the conversation, they would always comment on how beautiful she was. Angelica was a typical child in every other way with the exception of her skin problems, and played every bit the part all children play with their parents when they are trying to get their way. Angelica was very loved by every member of our family and everyone who knew her. Angelica's favorite person in the whole family was her granpa Tony. Grandpa was a comfort sheild to angelica all the way to the last minute. Angelica would call on grandpa's comfort every day, especially during dressing changes when she was in the most pain. With all the medical jargon that Angelica learned over the course of her life she probably could have held a license to be a registered nurse. Angelica will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but we carry with us the knowledge that Angelica no longer suffers and will never again live a life filled with pain. Our family believes that Angelica is looking down on us from heaven as she dances her victory dance of being pain free and whole again. On behalf of Angie, Jaime, Yvonne, Emma, Antonio and the entire Tafoya Family we would like to send to you our most sincere thank you for all your prayers, love, and support during this most difficult time for our family. It will be hard, but with time our family will slowly begin to heal. Again, on behalf of the Tafoya Family thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Our prayers are with you and with Angelica.



Theresa Cordova & Victoria Cordova

I am so sorry for your loss. I saw Angelica's picture in the paper today and it just broke my heart. I remember meeting her up at St, Lukes/Presbyterian Hospital in Denver and then again at Memorial Hospital when my 4 month old was also in the hospital. She was an absolute angel with the most amazing smile - it lit the world. I feel so blessed to have met Angelica and her mom. My prayers go out to all of you.



Sincerely,

Elayne Prechtel

Our family is sorry for your loss. We are also sorry we were unable to be with you in your time of sorrow. Your Tafoya family here in Taos are all thinking of you and praying for you.

I am truely sorry for your loss. I still have Angelicas pictures from my wedding up. She was a beautiful girl that was truely loved by her family. Angelica and her family are in our prayers.

Santana (Jimmy and Ruby's daughter)

Emma and family i am so sorry for your lost. Our prayers are with all of you. God Bless You All.

Angie,

My Heartfelt love and Prayers reach Heaven for you during this time.

Before Angelica was born, God knew her and was gracious to loan her to you for a time. Through the good times of laughter and playfull times and through the Hard and sometimes unbearable times he stood watching over you and Angelica and decided that he would not give you more than you could bear.

God in his mercy chose to send his angels down and carried her away to his bosom and called her home to be with him where she is now made completely whole and resting in his peace and dancing with the angels.

now it is time for you to take the time to sit at the feet of jesus and reflect on all the precious times and even the difficult times and give him thanx for watching over you and carrying you through everyone of those difficult times including now. May he grant you the grace to be at peace knowing that you were the best thing that ever happened in Angelicas life.

You taught those around you what it really means to have courage, you were strong at times yet not afraid to let others see your pain and allowed others to offer there shoulder when the Burden became to much to carry alone.

You perservered when most of us would have given up. You kept hope when the Doctors could give you none and you were Gracious enough to release her when it was time for Father God to call her Home.

My prayer is that the same comfort that you brought to Angelica all of her life would be that same comfort that the Holy Spirit (who is the only comforter )Would give you during this time and in the days to come.

My continous prayers go forth as incense to heaven on your behalf to the one and only God and his Son the one whom I serve the Lord Jesus Christ.May he keep you in his care always...

Laurie Deanne Fresquez

What can I say about Angelica? There are so many words, but so little space. She was the light of my auntie Angies life. She was grandpo's girl. She was funny, always making me laugh, as well as others. She always made her presence known. She never complained about the pain she was in, or made people feel sorry for her. She made the best out of her situation. We all love her very much, and the whole family is going to miss her SO much. I'll always be grateful that she was able to meet her new little cousin Robbie and got to hold him. (Even though she said he kicked her. haha) Even though we don't have her anymore, we have all of the good memories to hold onto. We love you Angelica and will ALWAYS remember you and your beautiful laugh and smile.

Dear Angela,

Angelica's feisty spirit and determination to live fully will always remain with us. It has been a blessing to have worked with both of you during the years in therapy. May the many positive memories of Angelica help you to find comfort and peace with the passage of time! You and yours remain ever in my thoughts and prayers.

With deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences,

We are thinking of you.

Our prayers are with you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jo

Angie,



I am very sorry to hear about Angelica. You are all in my thoughts and in my prayers. May God Bless you all.

God bless you & all the family. Sorry for your loss.

Angela, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Angelica will always remain in my memory as the sweet and brave girl I first met when she entered school. You have my deepest sympathies.

Angie,



There are no words I can even express to say how sorry we are for Angelica's passing. I know you will someday find sollace in the fact that God gave you the greatest blessing 12 years ago and allowed her to be with you for that long. What a fighter! But now God has decided she should be with him where she will no longer suffer and can experience his wonder and love.



Angelica's smile ,through it all, should be a testament to us all that God never gives us more than we can handle and that he was with her every step of the way.



We offer our love and prayers to you, Jamie and the entire Tafoya family.

Angela,

I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing Angelica's beautiful smile. Her smile used to LIGHT up our waiting room. God Bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerly, Sandra Lynn steele

Sorry to hear about your daughter. Our prayers will be with you and your family.

I live in Pueblo now. Ann called Alfred and told me about your granddaughter. I am so sorry. I am prayin for her and all of you. Irene

I am so sorry for your loss. She was such a happy little girl. I'll be praying for you all.

So very sorry to hear your loss, she was such a beautiful, caring and compassionate girl, she will always be remembered, and in my heart forever

I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure your baby would want you to remember all the special moments you shared and know that she is no longer suffering that terrible pain. Keep her safe in your heart. We share in your grief and we will continue to pray for you and yours.

Always, Jennifer (Jiron) and Alonzo Franklin and family

Angelia's story blessed my life. May your faith in God help you through this very difficult time. May the thoughts and prayers of family,friends, and strangers help you through your grief. May God bless you.

I know words cant explain the loss you are feeling. Just remember Angelica is with Jesus and all the angels and she is in good hands.May God heal your hearts, I know this will be a long healing process for you and once again I am so sorry for your loss, Gog bless you and your family in this time of sorrow and for always.Marlene Garcia-Perea

Angelica was such a pretty little girl all full of life and smiles. I am remembering her now at Angie's wedding all smiles and so very happy and pretty. My prayers are with all of you. God Bless you and comfort you all.

I know you don't know me, but I wanted to express my sincere sympathy to this family. I cannot even imagine the pain in your hearts as you let your angel go. May God be with you.