Ronan Mateo Wilcox

Ronan (“Roo”) Mateo Wilcox, born April 23, 2020, beat odds and fought hard until his last breath on June 5, 2020. At a final weight of just over 3lbs, baby Roo was the toughest (and tiniest) person his mom and dad have ever known. They were lucky enough to hold him close until the very end.

Ronan’s six weeks of life impacted everyone who knew him — from his family to his dedicated medical team to complete strangers. It is impossible to capture in a handful of paragraphs how resilient and special Ronan was and always will be.

When he was cozied up in his isolette, Ronan’s favorite pastimes included wrapping his hands around his breathing tube and wiggling his arms and legs out of his burrito swaddle. In addition to his dad’s eyes, furrowed brow, and strong opinions, Ronan inherited his mom’s eyebrows, long fingers and toes, and distaste for mornings. Roo especially loved the fleeting moments when his parents were able to hold him; as he snuggled against them for hours at a time, his heartbeat and breath were never steadier.

Ronan is survived by his parents, Blake and Alejandra Wilcox; older sister, Kaylee Mullins; maternal grandparents, William Taylor and Alicia Leppert; paternal grandmother, Barbara Luersen; great-grandparents, William Leppert and Lucila Leppert; aunts, Christina Taylor, Katherine Wilcox, and Victoria Wilcox; as well as many cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles, and honorary aunts and uncles — all of whom loved him fiercely. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Sammy Wilcox.

It would not have been possible to get to know Ronan without the exceptional care of the team at the University of Colorado Anschutz NICU. The incredible doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists on staff gave Ronan the best shot possible. As difficult as it was to leave him at the end of the day, Ronan’s mom and dad always knew their baby boy couldn’t have been in a better place. With deepest gratitude, Ronan’s parents would like to recognize every single NICU nurse who took care of Ronan — particularly his primary nursing team, Caitrin, Ashley, and Megan. They expertly looked after Roo around the clock with meticulous competence, compassion, and love. Ronan’s parents also wish to thank the many doctors and nurse practitioners who championed his care, especially Dr. Jim Barry; Dr. Clyde Wright; Dr. Nicolle Dyess; and Michelle Gibbs, NNP.

A memorial service will be held to honor Ronan on Saturday, June 13 at the Howe Mortuary in Longmont, Colorado. Unfortunately, due to ongoing restrictions from COVID-19, the venue is only able to host a limited number of invited family and close friends. However, we hope you will celebrate Roo with us in spirit and light a candle in his memory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ronan’s name to the March of Dimes or Love for Lily.