Remembering Iliana

In Loving Memory

Iliana Romero

Born: June 10, 1978 Rio Blanco, Ver. Mexico

Died: December 25, 2007 Seattle, Washington USA

Iliana, a beautiful baby girl in Rio Blanco, Mexico

Iliana, age 5

Left: Celebrating a birthday with dad, Benito

Right: In costume with younger brother, Josue

Dressed for a church pageant

With family for first communion

With family and new baby sister, Guadalupe

Iliana the cheerleader

Competing in a beauty pageant

Celebrating Guadalupe's birthday

Iliana and Ricardo

Welcoming daughter Anahi in Eastern Washington

Mother and Daughter

Family Photos (Iliana, Ricardo and Anahi)

Iliana and Ricardo at their civil wedding reception with Anahi

Iliana, Anahi, Ricardo and new baby Karina

Ricardo, Anahi and Iliana celebrate daughter Karina's 2nd birthday

Giving a big hug to Karina

Celebrating graduation with daughters Anahi and Karina, sister Guadalupe, brother Josue,

and parents Francisca and Benito

Iliana, Ricardo, Anahi and Karina

Enjoying the sun in Basin City, WA

Iliana and Ricardo celebrate their church wedding

Iliana welcomes baby Ricky (Ricardo Jr.) with the help of Karina, Anahi and Guadalupe

Mother and Son

Iliana celebrates her birthday with her parents and members of her medical care team

Ricardo, Anahi, Iliana and Karina

Karina, Ricardo, Anahi, Ricky & Iliana at home Iliana

Iliana's 28th birthday party

The fundraising committee gathered to watch a KOMO News 4 feature on Iliana.

Iliana with her daughter, Anahi; her sister, Guadalupe; and fundraising committee chair, Janel Mioduszewski.

These photos were taken at the KOMO4 studios on the day Iliana's public service announcement was taped.

April 27, 2007 - The fundraising committee (including Iliana's sister, Guadalupe Castro, left)

raised a sparkling cranberry juice toast to Iliana and her husband, Ricardo. We toasted to the

courage, grace and love demonstrated by the Romero family and to our hopes for a return to full

health for Iliana.

This beautiful photo of Iliana and Ricardo enjoying a light moment at the clinic was shot by

Fumiko Yarita of Reporter Newspapers. It is posted here with the permission of the publisher.

May 9, 2007 - Music for a Mom's Miracle, the benefit concert for Iliana at Crossroads Bellevue, raised thousands for

Iliana's medical fund. The community poured out to support Iliana, enjoy the music and try their chances in the raffle.

Ricardo and Iliana Romero enjoyed the concert performance with Iliana's doctor, Dr. Gunnar Ragnarsson of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Iliana's daughter, Anahi Romero, performed two songs by Latin

pop group "RBD" with her fourth grade classmates: Tyler, Karina, Moses, Devon and Abby.

Above left - Iliana (flanked by her husband, children & parents) tearfully thanked her many supporters.

Above right - Community members enjoyed the concert performances.

Iliana and Ricky

May 12, 2007 - Mother's Day Miracle Run Volunteers gathered pledges and ran in honor of Iliana at the Kirkland 5k/

Half Marathon, raising nearly $7,000.

May 16, 2007 - "Alexandra the Great" Benefit Screening at the Interlake High School Performing Arts Theater. Bellevue High teacher, Michelle Renee, welcomed the audience. The film

was enthusiastically received and followed by a lively Q&A session with the cast and crew. Adults

and children alike were inspired by Jocelyn R.C.'s passion and commitment to filmmaking with a

purpose. ATG screenings brought in over $1,000 for Iliana's NTAF fund.

Iliana attended the screening and gave a hug to filmmaker Jocelyn R.C. Just a few days later,

Iliana received her bone marrow transplant.

Thank you for being our friend. For your comforting smile

and for sharing so much with us.

Thank you for being our sister. For teaching us respect for others

and being an irreplaceable example of being a better person.

Thank you for being our daughter. For bringing us so much happiness, joy and pride.

Thank you for being my wife. For sharing your life with me

and giving me three beautiful children.

Thank you for being our mother. For giving us your love, your touch,

and holding our hand. And now, our guardian angel to guide us through life.

Thank you Iliana, for being who are you are and giving us all these things and more.

For your strength, your courage and your love.

The ones who knew you won't forget you.

The ones who didn't will know you were,

and the love you had for life and the ones around you.

Thank you Lord for Iliana, and the time she spent with us.

For giving her a beautiful life, a beautiful family, and wonderful friends.

May you rest in peace Iliana and may God give comfort to her loved ones.

-from Iliana's memorial, as prepared by her brother Josue

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Below is the text of Iliana's favorite poem, one she referred to often

Footprints

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you saw only one set of footprints in the sand,

that is when I carried you."

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Another poetry selection shared at Iliana's memorial service

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away, We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
I can't count the blessings or love he has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year