Jillian Lylah Janik

Jillian Lylah Janik, 5, of Loveland passed away on February 4, 2016. Jillian was born on December 15, 2010 in Denver, Co to J.R. and Nikki (Fossen) Janik. She attended Sarah Milner Elementary Early Childhood Center. Jillian was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – essentially only half of her heart. While she may have physically had only half her heart, she more than made up for it with her ability to love deeply, live fearlessly, and spread joy and laughter wherever she went. Though her short five years presented her with many ups and downs, and challenges, she always made life look easy. Her fighting spirit and tenacity helped her to overcome three open heart surgeries and endure many other medical procedures, therapies, and obstacles. She never let any of these challenges stop her – she learned to ride a two-wheel bike at just four years old, she loved to jump on the trampoline with her brothers and insisted on swinging as high as she possibly could on the swings. Jillian loved her family. She wanted to be just like her big brothers, Oliver and Athan and recently became the best, most adoring big sister to her baby sister, Madilyn. She had a huge imagination, loved playing “mommy” to all her dolls and stuffed animals, loved princesses and super heroes and could not be tickled enough. She was the most loving and caring little girl. She was the first person to bring someone a stuffed animal or special blankie if they were feeling sad or sick. She loved having tea parties and made the best Batman and Wonder Woman tea. Jillian was the brightest light in our world and will be deeply, profoundly, and forever missed.

Jillian is survived by her parents, J.R. and Nikki Janik of Loveland, CO; brothers Oliver and Athan Janik and sister Madilyn Janik of Loveland, CO; paternal grandparents Dave and Elaine Janik of Fountain, CO; maternal grandmother Donna Fossen of Belle Fourche, SD; maternal grandfather Gene Fossen of Ft. Collins, CO; six uncles, four aunts, seven cousins, and 2 great-cousins all of Colorado; and innumerable friends, family and acquaintances whose lives and hearts she touched the world over.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Allnutt Funeral Service in Loveland. Please join the family for a “tea party” reception immediately following the service at The Fountains in Loveland. Go to www.allnutt.com to send condolences and sign the guestbook.