Olivia Catherine Puzzello

Olivia Catherine Puzzello passed away in her mother’s arms on the morning of Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in her home. She is the daughter of Catherine and Jim Laughlin, Paul and Oksana Puzzello, and sister of Sophia Puzzello. When she was 5 months old, Olivia was diagnosed with a rare birth defect, Lissencephaly, that causes uncontrolled seizures with severe mental and physical disabilities, and the doctors said she would only live to age 2. She blessed her family and friends with over two decades of love and adventures well beyond her prognosis. Olivia loved being outside and feeling the sunshine; bright colors, puppet shows, soft music, and being read to by her teachers and sister. Olivia wasn’t often able to leave the comforts of her home, but as a young child she traveled to Washington, Michigan, and Florida to visit her family, and she loved spending time on Grandview Lake. Her family and friends have many wonderful memories with Olivia and despite her daily medical challenges; those gifts of pure joy and happiness that Olivia illuminated are what will forever be in the hearts of all who she met. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child but this is especially true with someone like our sweet Olivia. We would like to thank everyone who was part of Olivia’s Team for nearly 25 years. Olivia had many nurses and those who took impeccable care of her at home were Cathy, Lee Ann, Karen, Christina, and Cheryl. They provided the best medical care and abundance of love and compassion every day. Olivia taught many Indiana University student nurses and pre-med students about the importance of patient care while learning pediatric clinical skills, and we would like extend our deepest gratitude to her most recent student nursing team: Moriah, Hannah, Kirsten, Nate and Sam, and all to of the nursing and pre-med students who have cared for Olivia over the past 12 years. Olivia and her family are also very grateful for the nurses at IU Health Bloomington Hospital on the Pediatric Unit who have cared for her many times over the years during critical events, especially Tracy and Sherrie. The physicians and nurses at IU Health Riley Physicians were always available day or night, and her family will always remember the care and compassion shown by Dr. Scot More, Dr. Deb McDaniel, Dr. Heather Franklin, Dr. Bryce McKee, Dr. Jeremy Mescher, Dr. Richard Malone, Dr. Brechin Newby, and Dr. Aline Hamati, and the Laughlin nurses Stacy, Lanette, Judy, Wendy, and Cheryl. The staff and health care professionals at Children’s Therapy Center also deserve special thanks and appreciation for their compassionate care of Olivia. Olivia attended MCCSC since the age of 3 and had so many people who supported her educational experiences. Her family would like to thank the Special Education Department, her teachers Claudia DeBerry, Nick Gustain, and Kathy Bruner, and the many allied healthcare professionals on her OT, PT and Speech and Hearing team. There are also many other people too numerous to mention who have played a big part in Olivia’s life. Please forgive us if we failed to mention you but know that deep in our hearts we are very grateful. Olivia is survived by a very large and loving family. Her parents, Catherine and Jim, Paul and Oksana, sister Sophia and partner Ben Maddock; step-siblings Bill and Sylvia Laughlin, Charlie and Jennifer Laughlin, John and Susan Laughlin, and Martin and Kelly Wolf; grandparents, Maria Sherwood, Fred and Carolyn Sherwood, Mikhail and Nina Moskalyk; uncles and aunts Julie Sherwood, Mark and Melissa Sherwood, Dan and Peg Puzzello, Roseanne Puzzello, Jean and Rick Chaille, and Jeff and Leslie Laughlin; cousins Victoria Sherwood, Anthony, Elizabeth and Katherine Wishart, Jayla, Erin and Michael Puzzello, Matt and Erin Chaille, Megan Chaille and Andy Schlabach, Jack and Sarah Chaille, Tara and Sasha Boius, and J.R. and Justine Chaille, JC and Abby Laughlin, Parker and Michaela Laughlin, Christoph and Luc Jambon; nieces and nephews Liam Laughlin Moscardo, Rice, Hadley and Oliver Laughlin, Johnny, Iris and Lucy Laughlin, and Charley, Mickey, Grace and Lilly Wolf. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ann and Giacomo Puzzello, step-paternal grandparents James and Lois Laughlin, nephew Gabriel Wolf, and niece Josephine Laughlin. Day & Deremiah-Frey Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Olivia. A Celebration of Life will be held on her 25th birthday, Saturday July 18, 2020 from 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m. by Zoom. Please contact Catherine ([email protected]) or Paul ([email protected]) for the Zoom link or additional information. Please share a memory or condolences www.DayDeremiahFrye.com In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Olivia Puzzello to the "Puzzello Pediatric Nursing Award Fund". Make checks payable to IU Health Foundation, PO Box 775589, Chicago, IL 60677-5589. In the memo line, please designate your gift by writing: Puzzello Memorial - Fund #6799; to Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3509, [email protected] or to an organization of your choice. Heaven's Very Special Child A meeting was held quite far from Earth! It's time again for another birth. Said the Angels to the Lord above, This Special Child will need much love. Her progress may be very slow, Accomplishments she may not show. And she'll require extra care From the folks she meets down there. She may not run or laugh or play, Her thoughts may seem quite far away, In many ways she won't adapt, And she'll be known as handicapped. So let's be careful where she's sent, We want her life to be content. Please Lord, find the parents who Will do a special job for you. They will not realize right away The leading role they're asked to play, But with this child sent from above Comes stronger faith and richer love. And soon they'll know the privilege given In caring for their gift from Heaven. Their precious charge, so meek and mild, Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD. by Edna Massionilla December 1981 Author: Edna Massionilla