Paityn Cruz Rhodes

On January 23, 2026 Paityn Cruz Rhodes, lost her brave battle with liver cancer. She was born November 8, 2022 and was adopted by Jeff and Amanda Rhodes on February 12, 2024. Since five weeks of age, she is lovingly remembered by her parents and her three brothers Luke, Levi, and Liam. In her short life, she has so many friends of all ages that love her dearly. She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Judy Rhodes and her grandparents, Adrian (Buster) and Mary Potter.

Paityn loved to pretend to be “Shadow” the make-believe dog. Her favorite meal was “chickens, with fries and ranch” from “Donald’s." She loved to go camping where she liked to hang out with her friends and her “broders." She was the sweetest most cuddly girl in the whole world. Her smile and laugh brought such joy to anyone who met her. She loved fully, fought bravely, and was stronger than anyone we have ever known. She always told us, “I love you, with all my heart," and she meant it. Her heart was full of love. She was so beautiful and so incredibly smart. She loved animals and they loved her. Her favorite movie was Secret Life of Pets 1 and 2, and she loved watching Bluey and Cocomelon. She remembered everyone’s favorite color even if you only told her once. We are at such a loss without our Sweet P.

We want to thank each and every one of you who hopped on the meal train, sent money and gift cards, plowed our driveway, and offered support via Facebook, calls, and texts. But most of all, thank you for standing with us each and every day in prayer. Our baby girl is with Jesus. We will see her again someday.

A time for friends and family to see Paityn and say goodbyes will be held from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Services (Dorr Chapel), 4330 18th St., Dorr, MI 49323. Paityn will be laid to rest by the family privately at a later date. In honor of Paityn and in lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to assist the family with final expenses or to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.kubiakcookdorr.com in Paityn’s online guestbook.