Liam McIlvaine, 22 months, died October 1st, 2013, with his parents by his side, at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Liam was extremely strong; enduring many hospital stays and open heart surgeries in his battle with congenital heart defects. Liam had a contagious smile and his parents were his very best friends. He loved to cuddle with his mommy; and, his dad could make him laugh like no other. His road ahead was fated to contain many more hospital stays, more open heart surgeries, and a lifetime of medical management. We take comfort in knowing that Liam will no longer suffer. We will now, and forever, have the most beautiful, strong and awesome guardian angel.
Liam is survived by his parents, Chris and Jen (Coriale) McIlvaine; his grandparents, Ruthann McIlvaine, Doris and Henry Austin, Tom and Nancy Coriale; his great-grandmother, Donna Jacques; his aunts and uncles, Janeen Coriale, Lorie and Mike Christopher, Jill McIlvaine, Jon and Carey-Lynn McIlvaine; his godparents, Samantha (Ritchie) Taylor and Jeff McIlvaine; many great aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends who have become like family. Liam was greeted in heaven by his paternal grandfather, David McIlvaine; and great grandparents, Albert Jacques, Helen and Sam Coriale.
The family will receive Liam’s friends and family at Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, 17 Earlington Avenue, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 from 6-9pm on Sunday, October 6th and 9-10:00am on Monday, October 7th. A mass will be held at the same location at 10:30am on Monday, October 7th. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made in memory of Liam to The Cardiac Center at CHOP. Donations can be made online at www.giftofchildhood.org or checks, made payable to 'The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation' with 'In memory of Liam McIlvaine' written in the memo line, can be mailed to: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation - Lockbox #1352, P.O. Box 8500, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352.
Today I am in Ireland. Although it is bittersweet to be in the land of "Liams" on your angelversary, it is heartwarming to know that I am here to help babies in your honor. We miss you every single day. Your brothers think it's not fair that you cannot come home and are confused sometimes that they only see you as a 'rock' in person but we know that you are running, laughing, and having the best days in the sunshine listening to beautiful music. Miss you and love you ~Just Keep Swimming~
It is now eight years since you started swimming with the angels. You are enjoying paradise with Great-Grandma Helen and Great-GrandPupPup Sam. Your Mom and Dad think about you every day. You watch over them and your little brothers. We wish we could have had more time with you here, but you are healthy and happy in heaven! Much love! God Bless! Keep swimming!
Happy Happy heavenly birthday Liam David! I can’t believe you’d be 9! Miss you so very much. Love, Auntie Lorie
Happy Birthday to our angel boy! Blow out those 9 candles and enjoy your cake! Grandma Coriale is probably making you some spaghetti today and Grandpa Coriale stirred the sauce a few times! Keep watching over your Mom, Dad, and brothers. Have a great birthday!! ❤️
Another year has gone by but our memories of our miracle boy don’t fade. We had a special time celebrating at Aunt Samantha and Uncle Ryan’s wedding. You were so handsome that day all dressed up for the occasion! Now you are healthy and running across paradise! Keep swimming with the angels! ❤️
Happy Birthday, Liam! Do a good job of blowing out those 8 candles! Your Mom, Dad, Finn, and Cael, and all your family love you and think of you, especially on days like today. Enjoy being happy and healthy, and keep swimming with the angels!
6 years and not a day goes by that I don't think of our sweet angel and his amazing strength & smile....just keep swimming buddy
Today marks 6 years since you started swimming with the angels. I know you are watching over your Mom, Dad, and brothers. You are missed and will be forever in our hearts. We are consoled knowing you are healthy and happy in heaven and have grandparents keeping you company. One day we will all be together again. Keep swimming!❤️
God bless you little Liam and Chris and Jen! I still think of you guys when I look up and see the adorable ceiling tiles that you painted. Many of my patients now love them too! I’m so touched to see the picture of Liam’s brothers and send my love! He will always be loved and remembered! From a loving 2B nurse!
Happy Birthday! Today you have 7 candles on your cake! You must be having so much fun swimming with the angels through heaven! You are healthy and happy there and playing with your grandparents. Bet you are watching over your Mom, Dad, and brothers Finn and Cael. Keep swimming! God Bless!
Another year has passed since you started swimming with the angels. Your Mom and Dad miss you and share the memory of you with your two younger brothers. Till we see you again... God Bless!
Jen and Chris, Thinking of both of you at this time. Your loss of Liam will always be in my heart. Your precious Liam is now a special angel in heaven as well as a memory in so many hearts. My thoughts are with you. Love, Aunt Kathy
4years ago we had to say “We’ll see you again some time! Keep swimming with the angels!” We think of you and smile because you were so special. Grandma is surely making you lots of spaghetti there in heaven! Till we see you again, God Bless our Miracle Baby!
Happy Birthday! Celebrate in heaven in style! You have 5 candles to blow out today. Enjoy your cake and eat lots of Great Grandma's spaghetti. Keep swimming with the angels! God Bless!
I am sending birthday kisses to Liam and loving energy to everyone who is missing his little smiles. God bless the lives that have been touched by such a wonderful family.I think of you all often in the halls of 2B. From my heart, Nurse, Kim
Today a beautiful angel in heaven, with love etched in hearts of all who knew you. xo
Love, Aunt Kathy
Love, Aunt Kathy
Happy Birthday Angel Liam............................I have your picture, along with Finn's, and all your cousins on my desk at school. I love you.
Aunt Kathy
Aunt Kathy
Happy Birthday to our little miracle angel!! Grandma Helen probably made you a cake, and you ate the whole thing!! Keep an eye on your Mom and Dad and baby brother Finn! God Bless!!
Liam you will now and forever be our most beautiful, strong, and awesome guardian angel.
We will keep swimming for you and we will love you forever.
We will keep swimming for you and we will love you forever.
Jen & Chris,
The sadness of losing Liam and the blessing of Finn........ God wanted an angel to watch over your family. What a brave little boy Liam!!
I love you.
Aunt Kathy
The sadness of losing Liam and the blessing of Finn........ God wanted an angel to watch over your family. What a brave little boy Liam!!
I love you.
Aunt Kathy
Love to our miracle baby in heaven! You have some special people there with you. Hope you are enjoying great grandma Helen's spaghetti! Watch over your mom and dad. Keep an eye on your little brother Finn! We miss you, but rejoice that you are now forever smiling, happy, and free of pain. Run, Liam, run!!
Aunt Janet and Uncle Rick
Aunt Janet and Uncle Rick
Liam is in heaven looking down and smiling and giving advice to his little brother. We love you, Liam. You will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Keep good guard over your brother, okay? Love you, Ann
Happy Birthday sweet angel! You are very missed but always remembered! Keep watching out for mommy and daddy and your sweet brother Finn. Until we meet again. Love you!!
Happy 3rd Birthday, Liam! I know you are smiling down on Finn and your mom and dad. And I know you are so happy and healthy in heaven with Jesus. You are so missed, and will never be forgotten.
Jenn & Chris,
My prayers and thoughts have been with you the last two days. Your angel has touched so many lives in the short time he was here, and he left in my heart a special memory that will always be with me. I think of all of you every day. I love you.
Aunt Kathy
My prayers and thoughts have been with you the last two days. Your angel has touched so many lives in the short time he was here, and he left in my heart a special memory that will always be with me. I think of all of you every day. I love you.
Aunt Kathy
Dear Jen, Chris and Liam,
I think you all three of you every time I go to work. When I see the beautiful artwork Jen painted on our ceiling tiles (the transformer always being my favorite), when I hear the name Liam, and when I go into room 3 and when I drive by the child care center in the parking lot. Your beautiful family touch my soul and I will always remember. I pray for the best for you! With all of my love, Nurse Kim
I think you all three of you every time I go to work. When I see the beautiful artwork Jen painted on our ceiling tiles (the transformer always being my favorite), when I hear the name Liam, and when I go into room 3 and when I drive by the child care center in the parking lot. Your beautiful family touch my soul and I will always remember. I pray for the best for you! With all of my love, Nurse Kim
Sweet Liam, a year has passed since you left us and yet sometimes it seems that you are still right here because you are in our hearts forever.
For you and your family and friends:
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.
'Death is nothing at all' ~ Canon Henry Scott Holland of St. Paul's Cathedral
For you and your family and friends:
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.
'Death is nothing at all' ~ Canon Henry Scott Holland of St. Paul's Cathedral
It was my intention to do this on Sunday, but we were traveling to visit Nancy and Tom...
This is YOUR special Mother's Day as well!
I will never forget, and you will always be Liam's mom while he is in heaven smiling down on you!
Much Respect and Love,
Ann
This is YOUR special Mother's Day as well!
I will never forget, and you will always be Liam's mom while he is in heaven smiling down on you!
Much Respect and Love,
Ann
Blessed Christmas, Liam. We are down on earth celebrating the birth of Jesus and you are in His arms. Love and prayers continue for your whole family always.
Happy 2nd Birthday Liam! It was nice to hear that Mommy and Daddy had lunch with you today. They love you very much. Thank you for all the cute pictures you gave to me during the first two years of your life. You have etched a special place in my heart. Love, Great Aunt Kathy xxoo
The angles are haveing cake with Liam and so is PoP PoP Dave and haveing fun. And he has all of your love from his mom and dad that loves him very much RIP
Happy Birthday sweet Liam! Daddy and I had lunch with you today. It was a beautiful day-the leaves are all pretty colors now. All of your family and friends are wishing you a wonderful day. We are proud of you big boy. Enjoy your birthday cake with great grandma Helen. She is a great cook. Love you bunches!
I read that today would have been Liam's second birthday. It saddens me to know that you are not preparing a party, baking a cake and wrapping presents. I only hope that you are able to celebrate his short life with wonderful memories of this sweet child who is now in heaven.
God bless you all and may He tenderly comfort you today and always.
God bless you all and may He tenderly comfort you today and always.
I shared this sad story and link to all of the staff on 2B. We posted your story for all to see with same response... we are all so shocked and saddened by this precious soul's early departure. The pictures you selected told a wonderful story about two magnificant, patient and loving parents and thier special time with Liam. God Bless both of you, I will keep you in my heart.
Although I was never lucky enough to meet your precious Liam, I was blessed to watch him grow as you posted his amazing journey on FB. While my heart breaks for your loss, I too believe that your beautiful boy is now an angel and will be with you every moment. Sending you all of my love and prayers.
I just learned of the loss of your precious Liam. My heart is heavy with this news. Though his stay with us at Dupont was far from easy, it was always a pleasure taking care you Liam and both of you. Prayers for your entire family through this difficult time.
Jen and Chris-your strength has amazed and inspired me from day one of this journey with Liam. May you continue to find strength knowing that Liam is with you every step of the way, smiling down with that big smile. Keep swimming xoxo
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
Today I am in Ireland. Although it is bittersweet to be in the land of "Liams" on your angelversary, it is heartwarming to know that I am here to help babies in your honor. We miss you every single day. Your brothers think it's not fair that you cannot come home and are confused sometimes that they only see you as a 'rock' in person but we know that you are running, laughing, and having the best days in the sunshine listening to beautiful music. Miss you and love you ~Just Keep Swimming~
It is now eight years since you started swimming with the angels. You are enjoying paradise with Great-Grandma Helen and Great-GrandPupPup Sam. Your Mom and Dad think about you every day. You watch over them and your little brothers. We wish we could have had more time with you here, but you are healthy and happy in heaven! Much love! God Bless! Keep swimming!
Gallery
Aunt Lorie made this for us with Liam and his brothers & we will cherish this photo forever.
liam- video screen shot- sweet smile
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Liam
Goofballs
DSC_9311
Liam2 mickey
Recent stories
Little Angels
When God calls little children
to dwell with Him above,
We mortals sometime question
the wisdom of His love.
For no heartache compares with
the death of one small child
Who does so much to make our world,
seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to his fold,
So He picks a rosebud,
before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them,
and so He takes but few
To make the land of Heaven
more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult
still somehow we must try,
The saddest word mankind knows
will always be "Goodbye."
So when a little child departs,
we who are left behind
Must realize God loves children.
Angels are hard to find.
(Author Unknown)
I'll never forget the first time I got to babysit Liam. My brother had to cut his hair and do some odds and ends around the house. I had Macklin with me and Liam wanted to be held and cuddled. So I was loving up on Liam while bouncing Macklin in Liam's bouncer. It was priceless and a memory I hold dear to my heart.
Also, this summer we got to do many outings and BBQ's by the pool. No matter what we did Liam always had a smile on his face. I always loved how he would snuggle with you. Holding and biting his blankey.
Miss you so much Little Guy! Keep sending us signs your around :)