Ellie Ann Stevenson

Ellie Ann Stevenson was born on June 25^th 2013. Her arrival was greeted with anticipation and joy. It was clear from start that our little “Bellsy” was incredibly special and that she had much to share. One look from Ellie was all you needed to love her forever. She had a pristine depth about her, a way of looking at people through her sparkling blue eyes as if she could see into your heart and then love you, flaws and all.

In October of 2013, Ellie was diagnosed with SMA Type 1, a motor neuron disease that leads to muscular atrophy. It makes moving, swallowing, and even breathing difficult but has no effect on the brain’s cognitive functions. So, while Ellie could barely move her tiny body, her mind was bright and curious, and she inhaled the beauty of this world with wide-eyed wonder.

There is currently no cure for SMA, and many babies with Type 1 have only a few months to experience life. In the face of this trying diagnosis, Ellie’s parents made a powerful decision to fill every moment of her life with happiness and joy, to surround her with the light of love. Ellie’s response was to return that love one hundred fold. Her ever-expressive face radiated the purest truth: that life is beautiful even though it is sometimes hard. Our Bellsy never let the irritation of feeding tubes, breathing tubes, and countless hospital visits limit her happiness. Her perfect little face was always ready with a hero’s smile.

During the months Bellsy spent on this earth, she especially loved visiting Bear Lake with her family, spending time with her loved ones during the holidays, and visiting her beloved grandparents. Perhaps Ellie’s most precious moments were those she shared with her caring big brother, Ethan, who lovingly taught her about wagon rides, snow, Legos, and the special bond that exists between a big brother and his baby sister.

Ellie left this world in the early morning hours of February 4, 2014, held in the arms of her mother and surrounded by the love of her family.

Ellie’s memory is entrusted to those she leaves behind: her kind, strong parents, Kale and Kate Stevenson; her brother Ethan; her grandparents, and an entourage of adoring uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

While we will always miss her, the love Ellie shared will ripple through the lives of every person she touched, who will, in turn, pass that love on to others with a million moments of affection in an eternal cycle of compassion.

Her life will be celebrated on Sunday February 9^th at an open house from 2–4pm at Starks Funeral Parlor in Salt Lake City. Please, honor Ellie’s legacy by helping other children with SMA and donate to GSF.org or FSMA.org in lieu of flowers.