Missing you so much leen. Can’t wait to see you again real soon. I love you !

It’s been 2 years 2 months and 9 days since I’ve seen my daughter, Katalina. It feels like just yesterday we lost her, or everyday since, yet an eternity since we’ve seen her. I MISS her SO much. Life is not the same, and this fallen world hurts more without her light in it. Grieving the loss of your child; especially one you love so much, does not end, or suddenly stop with passing time. I carry the loss of her life with me each & every day. Today, this memorial thread popped up, and I lit a candle. In loving memory of my precious Katalina. Never forgotten, not for a minute. Dear God, please give her a hug & kiss from me… the kind of hug that holds on tight, and never let’s go. Until we meet again. If you could see this somehow, if God would peel back the sky and let you know, I LOVE YOU SO MUCHO Leen!!!!! I’m on a mission, in full swing… until we meet again. I’d like to give a HUGE shout out to Egizi Funeral Home & Charlie especially, for taking great care of my family, and for preparing Katalina beautifully for her service. Katalina was handicapped, was bent and twisted, & had severe scoliosis due to her miraculously growing body, and her staying alive, despite the prognosis, so she grew differently… she appeared much younger than she was when she died. The way Charlie prepared her body gave us a glimpse of what she may look like now… healed, straight (upright). In death, at her service, she looked like a 19 year 7 month old young lady. She looked beautiful, and because of how she was prepared, this gave us hope and comfort in thinking about what she may look like now, healed by God. She was a beautiful dead girl. Thank YOU so much Charlie & Egizi Funeral Home for everything! I know it took me 2 + years to share my gratitude this way, but me and the family truly appreciate how you took great care of our family, and our Katalina. I’ll forever be grateful to you, Charlie, & Egizi Funeral Home. I’m writing this right now, so this is still a soft place to fall… even over 2 years later. Cassandra

She died 9 months 27 days ago. I've stopped what I am doing each day since then, & just cry for her. I MISS her so deeply. I've lost many loved ones: Mom, Dad, husband, Aunt, Uncle, a favorite Grandmom, and all that LOSS rolled up into one HUGE BALL of agony doesn't equate to the LOSS I feel with Katalina gone. For us, we had acceptance that one day God would come for her, and take her Home, where she will be completely healed, and waiting there for me.... until one day I will go too, and so it's not that she died, we learned to accept this; the inevitable, it's how she died, & why she died, and this still hurts all of us to the core. Katalina lived such a beautiful life, despite her handicap. She was an angel on Earth, a GIFT to my life. Someone said to me, trying to comfort me, "better happier days are to come," and I said, no, I've already had the BEST days of my life, and the greatest JOY anyone could ever have, and that was because of Katalina, because God gifted me with her life, and she got to be my daughter, and I was her Mother, and what a BLESSING she was. I thanked God daily for her, and her life, and for the time He allowed. She was a living MIRACLE in every sense of the word. To look at her, you first saw her beautiful smile many know her by. Thinking of her, you remember her very special {{{hugs}}} & the famous Katalina kiss... she loved with all her heart & soul, and she loved everyone. It didn't matter if you were young, or old, orange, or purple, wearing a suit & tie, or filthy rags, she loved no one any less. The stinky old man wearing dirty torn clothes got the same hugs & kisses as everyone else. When you looked at Katalina, you felt HOPE, you BELIEVED in something, anything, and if you didn't have FAITH before you met her, you did once you saw her. You felt her presence, and it was always warm, inviting, loving, and kind. She was our Wonder Woman, our hero, and we long for the day we see her running toward us, on two legs that work, and with her new arms stretched out, and whatever form of existence she is now, I'm certain we will always know her by her illuminating smile. Leen: Donald (Donald Duck): if you could somehow read this, or God will read it to you... WE LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH, and life is not the same without you. For now, I remain here on this Earth, in this fallen world, but you are always, ALWAYS ON MY MIND... I wear my Donald necklace, and I still sleep on the Minnie pillow you died on... and I'm SO SORRY for what they did to you... we know the truth, and I'm doing something about it!!!! Katalina's Kause: to stop, think, PAUSE... and Gone In 6 Days: The Story of Katalina M Ranken. I'm thinking... policy change, and I'm back in school to be a NURSE, because of YOU. I'm back where it all began when I was 7 months pregnant with you in my womb, sitting there at graduation, in cap & gown, having just earned my first college degree! You were my INSPIRATION then, you & your sisters, and you are still that same wind beneath my wings now. We did it! You & me... front page of the Times 20 years ago! Because of the LOVE & HOPE you brought to my life 20+ years ago... because you lived, and died, I am forever changed. If you somehow know I wrote this... or God will let you know in Heaven... I LOVE YOU so much, or MUCHO as we used to say. I MISS you DEEPLY. ps- remember you asked me if you died would I cry for you??? I haven't missed a day! My tears are all my love for you with no place to go. I'm literally drowning in them. See you soon, my beautiful angel daughter. Love, Mom xoxo

Thank you for all the lovely memories I've had with you Katalina. Your kisses on the cheeks for everyone was such a blessing and I'm glad I got so many from you. You never judged anyone, no matter how bad they are and you always seen the good inside everyone. I love you and I'll look forward to seeing you again.

Katalina.. There aren't even words to express the light you brought to the world. From day one, you were always nothing but pure joy and love. You captured hearts of everybody you met, even those that met you only once. You faced many challenges in your 19 years of life..and faced every single one head on, with that smile on your face. I love you forever, and miss you so much. Thank you for being an inspiration to me, your light will always shine on.

Such a sweet soul who will be extreme missed. Thankful that I got to know her even for a brief time. I’m so sorry for your loss.

I had the honor of meeting Katalina once when she was younger, she just exuded light and happiness, even at 3 years old. My deepest, most sincere condolences to her family who I know loved her deeply. May you guys find peace knowing how many people she touched and taught about life.

I love you Katalina, thank you for all the great memories.

Katalina I'm broken inside ? without you. I love you so much and am honored to help care for you since you were an infant. I love you. Rest easy Donald I love you. Love Minnie Mouse ?( She wanted to be Donald duck her last week, she always had different phases and would name herself then everyone else, I was Minnie Mouse)

Katalina, your home with Jesus. During your life, you have made your family happy. Happy with your smiles and laughter. Happy with your love for them. I will always remember how excited you were to see me and give me a hug. You will be a special Angel to your mother and your family. We will all see you healthy and happy when it’s our turn to go home with Jesus. Until then, we will all miss you. Love you. Trish Miller.

Katalinaaaaa ???????? my prayers , thoughts and love goes to family , sincerely. Such a bright soul , gone too soon but very grateful for the time that we could have with her . We’re gonna miss you love ❤️‍?❤️‍?❤️‍?

Katalinaaaaa ???????? my prayers , thoughts and love goes to family , sincerely. Such a bright soul , gone too soon but very grateful for the time that we could have with her . We’re gonna miss you love ❤️‍?❤️‍?❤️‍?

I love you so much Katalina. This world will never be as bright without you. I will miss you everyday. It’s not goodbye it’s see you later my beautiful angel. You will always be our warrior, I’ll never forget you.

I am so sorry for the loss of your precious, beautiful daughter❤ Prayers and love for Katalina and Family.❤❤ Sherry Cusato

My deepest sympathies to the family of Katalina. She was the most beautiful person I ever met inside and out. I will miss her beautiful smile . She was always happy and loving. May God watch over her, a precious little Angel!

In memory of Katalina Monet Ranken, Munira Naeem lit a candle

My heart celebrates the joy Katalina's life brought to all her family. She truly was a special young woman - a beautiful ray of sunshine. I'm praying for all the family.

Katalina was the most amazing person, I’m glad I got a chance to meet her. My love to her family

I love you Katalina

Katalina what a beautiful young lady you were. Your smile could light up a room. You showed us so much love. I miss you and know that you will be here in spirit. I will miss all your kisses and hugs. But for now until we will meet again. I love you

Sending so much love and strength during this very difficult time.

Sending so much love and strength during this very difficult time.

Sending so much love and strength during this very difficult time.

My love is with you all in these difficult times. I am so deeply sorry for your loss ?

Rest in Peace sweet girl.

I love you Katalina (Donald) Mickey misses you so so much i would do anything to get you back keep watching over us baby girl xoxoxo

Rest Peacefully my sister Katalina. Thank you for all the great memories.

Katalina you will forever be my angel. I love you so much baby. Please watch over me and walk with me for the rest of my life.

Katalina you will forever be my angel. I love you so much baby. Please watch over me and walk with me for the rest of my life.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.