Lelaina Jaymes Fitzsimons ("Laney")

Lelaina Jaymes Fitzsimons (“Laney”) was granted her angel wings on Monday, March 27, 2017, in her home bedroom.  

Laney was born on August 19, 2012, in Washington, DC to Laura Lee (Rowan) Fitzsimons and Brian Thomas Fitzsimons.  

Laney’s final months were spent surrounded by family and friends whom Laney had touched in many ways through her short but very memorable life.

Laney’s first 3 ½ years of life were filled with fun, laughs, and unbridled joy.  Every day was an adventure, and her smile and sweet voice melted the hearts of all around her.  Laney loved the world and people with an uncommon deepness.  Laney was thoughtful and inquisitive, often asking questions, reading books, and mastering her puzzles.  Moreover, Laney loved being silly – on any day she could be heard speaking the Queen’s English, or seen flying around like Supergirl.

When Laney was 3 ½ years old, she began suffering acute strokes and it was discovered that she has a rare and perhaps unknown vascular disease.  Laney, with her parents, fought every day for her recovery.  The strength and courage that she displayed inspired so many, and Laney worked for hours every day to get better in intensive rehabilitation.  Her big, beautiful smile and keen sense of humor enchanted her doctors and therapists, and a seeming army of people gave everything they had to help her get better.  Alas, the disease proved to be too much, and she continued to have strokes, although her body and heart refused to quit.  She is the strongest little girl you would ever meet.  She passed peacefully, surrounded by love.

In addition to her loving parents, Laney is survived by her baby sister, Brielle June Fitzsimons, grandparents, Diane and Joseph Rowan, Thomas Fitzsimons and Joanne Blizard, an aunt and uncles, and her cat, Louie.

Family and friends will celebrate Laney’s life at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146 on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 12:00 p.m.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.  A graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Annapolis, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke, PO Box 77896, Charlotte, NC 28271-9770 or at www.iapediatricstroke.org.  

Online condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfuneralhome.com.

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