Ravenna Jo Grace Stephenson

Ravenna Jo Grace Stephenson passed away in infancy at four months of age on February 22, 2019 at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Sweet Ravenna was born a twin sister to Roman Gabriel on October 19, 2018. Ravenna is survived by her parents Melissa Irene Conry Stephenson and Alan Andrew

Stephenson 11; her twin brother Roman Gabriel Stephenson, her brother Dylan Winder, and her

sister Hayden Winder. Also her maternal grandparents Dawn (Jay) Ponce; her paternal

grandmother Heather Lusby and her paternal grandfather Bo Pepe; and her maternal

grandfather Robert (Dana) Conry. Ravenna's uncles, aunts and cousins also mourn her passing: Kyle Conry, Nicole and Albert Cajigas, Atom Cajigas, Belle Clark, Kaitlyn Cajigas and Andre Cajigas. Alexandria Davis, Kebrina Secaida, and AJ Stephenson. She is also mourned by many extended family members, friends, and caregivers from Phoenix Children's Hospital. Ravenna was diagnosed in utero with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD); Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum. At birth, it was discovered that she also had Epstein's Anomaly. Both of these congenital heart defects are two of the most serious ones that child have. Born a twin at 34 weeks, Ravenna became known to us as our "Heart Warrior Princess." She survived major open heart surgery at five days old because her lungs couldn't handle the pressure on her heart. Ravenna continued to fight throughout the four months of her life; enduring relapses and procedures - between her peaceful times. She would have had to endure at least two more heart surgeries had she survived; she pushed the odds many times, and in-between

hardships her body was trying to recover. Ultimately it was too much for her tiny body to

handle. 1in100 babies are born with CHDs; which equals approximately 40,000 babies each

year; making CHO the #1 birth defect in the world. CHDs all vary in severity; complex CHDs

occur in about 25% of the 40,000- these require invasive or potentially life-saving diagnosis or

treatment. Ravenna had two of these defects. The caring, knowledgeable & dedicated staff in the Cardio-Vascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Phoenix Children's Hospital are extended our sincerest appreciation and gratitude. This wonderful, professional team worked round the clock to provide Ravenna with every chance to grow and heal; but that was not God's plan for her. Ravenna was given the middle name of Jo after her maternal Great-Grandmother Jo McCabe Moore who was also a fraternal twin like Ravenna and Roman. "Grandma Jo" (as Melissa called her) LOVED BABIES and it gives our family a bit of comfort to envision Ravenna in heaven being loved and rocked, and at peace in Grandma JO's loving arms.

Ravenna's short life will be memorialized on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 1:00 in the afternoon at

Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary and Memorial Gardens. A hosted reception will follow

afterwards at the same location.

In lieu of flowers; her parents ask that donations be made toward CHO Awareness and

Research.

Donations may be made to any of the following organizations:

• Phoenix Children's Hospital

• The Brett Boyer Foundation

• Mended Little Hearts of Phoenix

• The Children's Heart Foundation

• Project Heart

Services will be held at:

Resthaven /Carr-Tenney Mortuary and Memorial Gardens

4310 E. Southern Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85042