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Stories of Lost Children
Our Zoe-The God Kind of Life
by Judi Lacanlale, Suisun City, CA, U.S.A. We recently lost our beautiful, healthy, vibrant 5-year-old daughter, Zoe Janel. She was taken so suddenly and unexpectedly. It happened just last month on 5/11, Mother's Day 2003. She woke up with a little fever and her dad gave her Motrin and seemed to control her fever. So we left to go to San Francisco for a graduation ceremony and Mother's day activities. She was coughing a little bit but she wasn't hot. She was dancing and singing and being herself the whole day. In the evening at her Grandma's house, she said she felt a little tired so she was going to sleep. She then threw up an hour later and then everything went downhill from there. She couldn't sit up, talk and her eyes were dilated. We called 911 and brought her to the hospital. At 6 a.m. the next day. On 5/12 we were told they couldn't save her. To this day we don't know what caused this. All the doctors can tell us that she died of Influenza B. None of the doctors at UCSF (one of the top 10 hospitals in the country) had ever seen anything like this ever. They told us that whatever caused this happened so fast that her poor little brain couldn't take the pressure and she succumbed to it. Please email me if you ever heard anyone dying like this. The following is Zoe's obituary printed from the San Francisco Chronicle: LACANLALE, Zoe Janel Tudd - 5, of Suisun City was born in San Francisco on November 28, 1997. She died suddenly and unexpectedly on May 12, 2003. Zoe in Greek means life-the God kind of life. Zoe lived up to her name in every way. Her capacity for unconditional love was limitless. As small as she was in stature, her love for life, people and animals was grand. Her kindness and sweet spirit had a unique way of touching lives of those she encountered. She made friends wherever she went. Her laughter was infectious and her mere presence a light in every room. Zoe was not one to just dream; she actually worked hard making her dreams a reality. She took ballet, tap and hula lessons and became the graceful dancer she'll always be remembered as. Her adventurous and playful nature took her to places like Cancun at barely 15 months old, Disneyworld at 2-1/2 years old, and Kauai & Oahu before she was even four, Disneyland and Las Vegas to name just a few of her travels. Coupled with her adventurous nature was her fearless determination; she loved roller coaster rides, dared to live what she dreamed and knew to stand up for herself and those she may have felt were being treated unfairly. At times it was hard to believe she was only 5 years old. Zoe also attended preschool at Fairfield Community Center and was to graduate a week after she died. As with her every endeavor, she also excelled as a student. She is survived and greatly missed by her father, Peter Lacanlale; mother, Judi Tudd-Lacanlale; younger brother Zachary Lacanlale; grandparents Peter & Angelita Lacanlale of Daly City and Rev. Jerry & Elsie Tudd of San Francisco; great-grandmother Salud; cousins Jasmine & Jordan; Aunties Sally, Marie & Janice; Uncles Angel, Henry & Jeffrey. A private family service was held in Duggans Mortuary and Holy Cross Cemetery. For Zoe's 40th Day on June 21st there will be a celebration of her life in her family home. Visit & remember Zoe at www.zoeandzach.com
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