LYDIA SCHAEFFER

      Lydia Schaeffer was granted her angel wings on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2014, following a life with Kleefstra syndrome, epilepsy and autism. Lydia’s family was blessed to have her a little over seven years before she was taken to her heavenly home.

Lydia’s life has changed us beyond what we ever could have anticipated and we learned so much during her short time with us. She taught us about patience, what it’s like to be inspired and most of all we were blessed to witness miracles that otherwise we may have been too busy to notice.

We learned about acceptance and that it’s wrong to judge others based on looks or because their talents in life are different than ours. We also learned that there is a thing called unconditional love.

Lydia possessed an immense amount of strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome incredible odds and physical challenges. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories.

She could spend hours rocking in her favorite chair, playing with her toys that lit up and played songs or flicking her favorite toy. Her favorite calming song “You Are My Sunshine” was sang to her from birth – it was the only song she often found comfort in.

With Lydia’s passing we remind others that her life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss her every day and she will forever remain in our hearts. Through her teachings about life, we were able to create wonderful memories and it has been a privilege and honor to have her in our lives.

Left to honor her life and to mourn her death are her loving parents, Tom and Sally Schaeffer; brothers Devin and Grant Schaeffer; maternal grandparents, Tom ‘Poppa’ and Sue ‘Nonni’ Weslager; paternal grandparents, Rick and Ann Schaeffer; uncles, Robert Blume, Scott Blume, and Brian Blume; aunts, Roxanne, Paula and Charity; cousins, Jason, Christopher, Travis, Kristin, Scott Jr., Lauren, Sarah, Kyle, Peyton and Alex; along with Uncle Rick Schaeffer and Aunts AnnMarie and Elizabeth Schaeffer.

Lydia leaves behind many wonderful caregivers who provided love and support that enhanced her quality of life. Lydia’s love extends to her wonderful special needs au pairs, Sarah Verhuelsdonk, Lisa Schneider, Tina Johansson and Clara Otto. There is a very special place in our hearts for all of Lydia’s wonderful and loving respite providers, therapists, teachers and aides.

Finally, we are grateful for the Special Needs Program and their staff at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for their care of Lydia.

Preceding her in death and there to welcome her home are her great-grandparents, Alfred and Evelyn Ortis and Lillian and Walter Carney.

Visitation is Friday, May 16, from 4–8 p.m., at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington. Mass will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, May 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Burlington, along with a burial and luncheon afterward to celebrate the wonderful, fulfilled life she led.

Donations in her memory may be made to a soon-to-be-announced foundation to help patients seeking CBD oil as an epilepsy treatment by going to www.lovinglydia.com. Donations can also be made to “Lydia’s Lucky Charms” walk/run team for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin by going to http://events.chw.org/goto/lydia.

Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.