Sofia Elisa Cusimano

GLENDIVE, MONTANA: Sofia Elisa Cusimano, was born on August 13, 2008 at 2:10PM at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana to James and Robin Cusimano, Sofia died August 14, 2008 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Montana. Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. and from 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A private family service will be held Monday, August 18, 2008 with Celebrant Sandy Silha officiating. "For the short time that Sofia was with us, she was loved." "She will forever be in our hearts." Sofia is survived by her parents, Jimmy and Robin Cusimano, a sister, Saige and a brother, Tyson all of Glendive, her paternal grandparents, Guy and Elisa Cusimano of Commack, New York, maternal grandfather, Bob Lux, of Gillette, Wyoming, maternal grandmother, Carol Lux of Chinook, Montana, aunt and uncle, Chris and Christina Loggia of Lindenhurst, New York, Uncle Ryan Lux of Gillette Wyoming, and many beloved extended family and friends. Memorials in remembrance of Sofia may be sent to the family home at 905 Jefferson School Road, Glendive, Montana, 59330. Sofia Elisa Cusimano Life Tribute Service August 18, 2008 At the family home, 905 Jefferson School Road, Glendive, Montana Introduction: Good Morning. I am Sandy Silha, a certified celebrant with the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home. We gather today to honor Sofia Elisa Cusimano and recognize the significance of her touch on the lives of her family, and those fortunate enough to have been a part of her short life. Later during this service, time will be provided for anyone who wishes to speak. Please come to the front and face those who are here, so that all may hear. At this time Sofia’s parents, Robin and Jimmy, have a few thoughts to share with us. Jimmy and Robin Eulogy: After barely saying “hello” to Sofia, it was time to say “good-bye”. It is a task so sad and so heartbreaking, it seems impossible to do. There are no good explanations as to why, and there was no time to prepare for this good bye. Sofia’s death overwhelm’s our hearts and the loss of her is difficult for our mind to grasp. But Sofia was an important person and her brief life has touched many and will continue to touch many. Listen to her story. Sofia’s story begins with the great love her parents, Jimmy and Robin, found with each other. As Robin tells it, she and Jimmy began their journey with love and friendship but no, they weren’t going to marry. It took some time, but they did marry. Then it was no, they were not going to have any children. Robin had two children; so no, they were not going to have a child together. But then no became a maybe, with lists of the pros and cons drawn up, examined and discussed. Finally, the decision was made and Robin and Jimmy began their wholehearted commitment to having a child. Robin was pregnant in no time, and the love, excitement, and anticipation of this child became a huge part of their lives. The baby was very active, kicking and moving a lot. Robin says she was like Jimmy, up early and busy all the time. They were never sure whether the child would be a boy or a girl. The umbilical cord was in the way of knowing for sure, but they were told there was an 80% chance the baby was a girl. Robin and Jimmy weren’t concerned with the gender, just that the baby be healthy. The baby’s room was made ready early, decorated in blue for either a girl or boy. Names were selected. The boys name was a bit tough to pick, but there was no question about the girl’s name. When Robin and Jimmy first got serious about each other and Jimmy was considering moving to Montana to be with Robin, Robin had a dream about having Jimmy’s baby girl and naming her Sofia. Robin told her daughter, Saige, about the dream. From then on, every doll Saige got she named Sofia. And so, of course, Jimmy and Saige knew a baby girl had to be a “Sofia.” The name Elisa comes from Sofia’s grandmother, Elisa Cusimano. Today, August 18, was the day Robin and Jimmy, had chosen for the baby’s birth. Jimmy’s parents were coming to be present for their first grandchild’s arrival. Elisa, though, had had a dream about missing the birth of her grandchild. And it proved to be true; Elisa was not here for the early arrival of Sofia. Last week, Robin had a painful backache and just wasn’t feeling well. After a call to the doctor and unsuccessfully trying some exercises to relieve the pain, Robin made the trip to the doctor’s office. It was determined that the baby was not going to wait. As Robin, Jimmy, a friend and the nurse waited, Robin dilated quickly, and the nurse could see things were progressing rapidly and she began getting everyone ready for the birth. Jimmy, who admittedly is a bit squeamish, had intended to be present, but at Robin’s head end for support and a quick look when he felt he could handle it. The nurse had another agenda, and Jimmy found himself holding down one of Robins legs, right in the middle of the birthing process. The doctor arrived just in time to just pretty much catch Sofia as she was born. Robin has been known to tell people that Jimmy was going to make a great father, and she witnessed Jimmy have an amazing start to fatherhood. Sofia exhibited a trait well-known to her mother, impatience, and Sofia arrived early. On Wednesday, August 13, 2008, Sofia Elisa Cusimano blessed the world with her presence. Sofia weighed 6 lbs. and was 18 ¾ inches long. She had hair like her dads, dark, with a bit of a wave in it. Sofia had her dad’s ears, her mother’s lips, and her uncle Ryan’s nose. She was a perfect little “peanut” of a girl. Sofia, daughter, sister, grandchild, niece, was much loved, and there was great joy and pride because of this little person. Sofia was laid on her mother’s chest until an isolet could be brought in. After checking Sofia over, it was determined that because she was early she was having a bit of trouble with her oxygen level. The doctor put her on more oxygen. And then the world went crazy. Sofia’s white blood cell count fell dramatically, and the decision was made to send her to Billings. Not knowing what they were fighting, Sofia was put on antibiotics and she, accompanied by her dad, was flown to Billings. As they boarded, Robin told her small daughter to fight hard, hard as she could. Robin followed by car. But all the love of her parents and their will for her to live and all the antibiotics and medical expertise of the doctors fighting for her life, could not fight the infection. On Thursday, August 14, 2008, the light that was Sofia Elisa Cusimano was extinguished. Robin and Jimmy and their family lost their precious baby girl, and our world became a bit poorer. But Sofia’s story does not end there. A few days later, Robin and Jimmy found out the name of the infection that took their daughter from them. Group B strepp. Robin had been tested for this the week before and had tested negative. So no antibiotics were administered. Having found out what caused Sofia’s death, the doctors no longer can trust the testing. Because of Sofia, changes will be made. Because of Sofia, it is very probable other babies’ lives will be saved. Because of Sofia, we are reminded just how brief life can be and that we should not waste a moment of it. Because of Sofia, there are so many important lessons to be learned and lived. Isn’t amazing that one beautiful and tiny person, whose life was only 14 hours and 45 minutes long, less than a day, could change the lives of so many? Sofia has left many gifts to many people. Because Sofia has lived, there is more love in the world than there would have been without her. That is her greatest gift. To quote Robin and Jimmy: “For the short time Sofia was with us, she was loved. She will forever be in our hearts.” A Time for Sharing: Let us take time now for those of you who wish to speak. Please come to the front so all may hear. Robin and Jimmy have asked that the words from a friend be read. Kari was a friend and nurse to Robin when Saige was born, and again when Sofia was born. She wrote these words in a card to express her sympathy. Dear Robin and Jimmy, Thank you for allowing me to be present at the birth of your precious baby. Even now my heart yearns to hold her and touch her tiny toes. I want to tell her how excited I am to watch her grow, and that even if she becomes an amazing athlete and beats Miles City in sports, I will still love her. I feel so unprepared to say good-bye. My wish is that the tape of time could be forever put on pause. So the moments she was in your arms would last forever. I recall watching her in the isolet after her delivery, and being in awe at the sparkle or glow on her skin from the light of the radiant heater. Her little round body seemed so perfect, even pinchable. I don’t remember if she approved of the pink and white striped hat that was placed on her head, but know that even as she was bundled in blankets, she likewise sensed being wrapped in your love. I pray that the joy of welcoming her into this world would sustain you until you are able to hold her again in heaven. Please know you are perfect parents and amazing people. Please take good care during the difficult days and weeks and months ahead, and know you are loved. With constant prayers on your behalf, Kari & Kent Thank you all for your words of love and support for Robin, Jimmy and family. Closing dedication: Robin, Jimmy, Saige and family; There is no happily-ever-after ending to this story. There is no miracle to bring Sofia back to you. Today brings no guarantee of tomorrow and right now there is certainly a deep dark sense of loss. We cannot take your grief from you, nor should we. Your grief runs as deep as your love, and because of your love, you will learn to carry your grief. As your friends and community, we too mourn the loss of Sofia. We grieve with you and we grieve for you. Carol, Bob, Elisa, and Guy; you have lost a granddaughter, and you also have the heartache of watching your children, Robin and Jimmy, go through this painful and devastating time, knowing you cannot fix this for your child. You too are in our thoughts and prayers. Today this ground in front of me will become sacred to Robin and Jimmy. This will be Sofia’s garden. It will be a living memorial to a special and precious little girl; Sofia Elisa Cusimano. Three rose bushes will be planted here. This angel will watch over them, and this angel has her own story. It is a tradition with Robin to give her mother an angel as a birthday gift each year. Last January or thereabouts, Robin found an angel like this in a local store and knew it was the angel she would give her mother this year. Many people liked this angel, so the store owner ordered another to replace the one Robin purchased. It didn’t come right away and the store owner lost interest in the order after spring passed because that is when people buy things like this for their yards. This angel was delivered by UPS to the store Thursday, August 14, the day Sofia died. Lara, the store owner, recognized immediately that this angel belonged with Robin and Jimmy. This angel, here in Sofia’s garden, will greet you as you come, and wish you well as you go. During spring and summer you will see her amidst the pastels of fragrant pink roses; in fall and winter the leaves and flakes of snow will fall softly around her. She will stand thru sunshine and storms, howling winds and soft breezes. This angel will remind us of Sofia; she will remind us of the strength and endurance of family; she will remind us of love. Please bow your heads and join me in saying the “Lord’s Prayer.” Balloon release: In conclusion, Robin, Jimmy and Saige will release pink balloons in memory of Sofia Elisa Cusimano. This is the beginning of a family tradition. These balloons carry the great love Sofia’s parents and sister have for her. As they journey skyward, may they find Sofia in the heavens, and deliver that love to her. Please raise your eyes skyward and send your thoughts and love to Sofia also.

Sofia Elisa Cusimano

August 13, 2008 - August 14, 2008

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Sofia Elisa Cusimano

August 13, 2008 - August 14, 2008

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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