Aiyana Luevano
October 25, 2000 ~ January 6, 2004
Aiyana Luevano, 3, of Weirton, surrounded by her family and friends, passed away comfortably Tuesday January 6, 2004, at her home, after a one week relapse with leukemia.
Aiyana was born to Jim and Jennifer Dowdy Luevano in Weirton, WV, on October 25, 2000.
She enjoyed playing with her big brother, swinging on her swing set, and playing with her doll babies.
In addition to her parents, Jim and Jennifer, Aiyana is survived by her brother, Chayton Luevano at home; maternal grandparents, Jim and Kaye Dowdy of New Manchester, WV; her paternal grandparents, James and Lily Ann Luevano of New Cumberland, WV; her paternal great grandmother, Alma Booth of Gardendale, OH; several aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be 7-9 PM Wednesday and 2-4 & 7-9 PM Thursday at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV, where funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday.
Rev. Bob Gracey will preside.
Interment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Weirton, WV.
Memorial contributions may be made in Aiyana’s memory to the Adventures for Wish Kids, 6863 Oakcreek Drive, Columbus, OH 43229-1501
Share tributes with her family at www.grecohertnick.com
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
Tiny Terror, we shared laughs and giggles,mt dews and chips,snow days and choco milk and few tag team matches with chat.You will always have a special place in my heart! love uncle Punk!
We were fortunate enough to run into Jim and Kaye along with Aiyana and Chayton at the Carrollton Festival this past Fall. Two happier kids could not be found anywhere on this Earth. It was great to be with these two doting grandparents.
We were so saddened to learn that Aiyana had passed away. Please accept our prayers and heartfelt sympathy in your time of sorrow. Bill & Brenda Mull
A beautiful child and a friend to our daughter. Jim, Jen and Chayton, we love you.
We will never forget you Baby A. You have forever changed our lives for the better. We love you. Remember, Joey’s a punk, Aiden isn’t. Love you.
Thank you for the opportunity to meet your wonderful daughter, Aiyana. She truly has touched my heart. When I was informed of the relapse, I called Monsignor Pat Fryer at St. Paul’s. He is always asking me about “the kids” (Aiyana & Bruce – St. Paul’s fundraiser kids) When I told him that Aiyana took a turn for the worse, he told me that he would keep your family in his prayers. He also said to “remember it is not the length of our life, but the depth.” I will keep your whole family in my prayers.
Heaven has gained the perfect Angel. Baby A captured our hearts on the day she was born and we will always cherish the wonderful memories we have of her. Her laugh, her smile, and her sense of humor are unforgettable. We feel blessed to have been able to be a part of her life.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences in the passing of little Aiyana. We hardely knew her but she made an everlasting impression on our lives. Take comfort in knowing that she is safe and happy in the Lord’s arms and nothing can harm her any longer. God bless.
Aiyanas laughter and beautiful smiling face will hold a special place in our hearts forever.
Jim & Jennifer, We are so sorry about Aiyana. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She will be a shining star in heaven.
Jim and Jennifer, We are so saddened this evening as we have read of your dear daughter’s death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and to your families. Our thoughts go back to good memories of better times. God is always with us–during the good times and the sad times . Our prayers are with you now as you face the next few days. May it help you to know that others care deeply. Love and Prayers, Janet and Terry Stoops
An eternal blossom has bloomed in Heaven today & God has welcomed her with a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Although I can’t be there physically I want you to know that my heart is with you and I grieve with you. I want to extend to you my deepest sympathies. God be with you. Terri Linn
Aiyana will be missed by everyone who loved her and she was fortunate to be loved so deeply by so many. My entire family sends heartfelt condolences and hugs to your family. Love, Carol
We are so sorry. Praying for your family and your little angel girl, God bless you all. Brian, Tanya, & Jordan Dillon
Sincere sympathy for your great loss from the friend of Jim & Denise Dowdy.
Aiyana hunny im going to miss you..!!I will always thinking of you and and your little giggle hunny..Jim,Jen, and Chayton our family is with you and we wish you all the best… love and prayers the chappells sparks and cothermans
Although I only met Aiyana one time, she forever holds a place in my hart as the strongest, and most cheerful person I’ve ever met. At only three years old she had gone through more hardships that I probably will in my whole life. She is and always will be in my prayers.
We will miss your beautiful little smile playing on the swingset in our backyard. Thank you, Aiyana, for touching our lives and hearts…
We were saddened to hear about Aiyana’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
We are friends of Jim & Denise Dowdy of Ripley and we feel like also know Aiyana because of the stories we heard about her. She will truly be missed by all.
I am so sorry for your loss. I never got to meet your daughter but heard so many wonderful things from Jim about her. I know this loss must be devistating. My heart goes out to you.
We were never fortunate enough to meet Aiyana in person but felt as if we knew her. We work with her Uncle and can not begin to express the pain that we feel over your loss. Your family are in our prayers.
My sincerest condolenances to you and you family on the loss of your daughter. May the strength and grace of our Lord comfort and guide you in this time.
She was just so precious to us all. She loved to have fun and loved her parents and brother very much. I will always remember taking care of her and seeing those big beautiful eyes in the wee hours of the morning:) She will be missed.
Thank you for letting us share some special times with your beautiful daughter. Her bright eyes and adorable smile touched us all here at Adventures For Wish Kids.
We can’t express in words how sorry we feel for your loss. Our sympathy and prayers go out to your entire family.
Sincerest sympathy for your great loss! What a special angel Aiyana will be. We know she was so… loved by Ann and Ali. We have you all in our prayers. God Bless!
We were deeply saddened when my cousin Marilyn Charnie called to tell us that Aiyana passed away. We will be praying for your entire family and keep you close in our hearts. Our deepest sympathy from Cheryl & Bruce & Lisa Costello
The little amount of time I knew you was the best, you were the sweetest little girl I will ever meet in my life…I can only hope I grow up to be as beautiful of a person as you were!! You will be my special angel for life! I Love You, Aiden xoxo
Dear Jen & Jim, Words alone cannot express my gratitude to you both, not only for being my best friends, but for allowing me to be a part of Aiyana’s life. Her strength and courage over the past 23 months have inspired me and make me want to strive to be a better person. I have always told everyone that the two of you are the strongest people I know and it is truly because of your strength and love that Baby “A” was with us as long as she was. My memories of the times I have spent with Aiyana are forever burned into my mind. Whether it was the feeling I got when she ran up to me to give me a hug or her barking out orders form her bed to bring her cold fresh white milk not mountain dew, or telling me how to clean her tubies before giving her medicine she could always make me smile and feel loved. Thank you for letting me be there in her final days to share all the special moments with her and you both. Being a part of Aiyana and Chayton’s lives has been such a joy for me…. I will forever be grateful for the 3 years I had with her and for the many more years I will spend loving Chayton. Love Always, Aunt Ann
Im very sorry to hear about your daughter. I only met Aiyana one time. But her precious smile will be with us forever. She brought joy to so many, and she will sadly be missed. She and your family will be in my prayers forever.
We are friends of Jim & Denise Dowdy from the stories of Aiyana we felt like we knew her also. She is loved by all that knew her and she will truly be missed.
Jenn & Jim, So sorry about your loss. Please know that we are thinking about you and your family, our prayers are with you.
We are so sorry for your loss. As parents we can’t imagine what you are going through. Although we never met her, from reading these tributes it is clear she was a very beautiful little girl. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Jen and Jim, Although I never knew Aiyana, I could tell from the pictures she was a BEAUTIFUL girl-inside and out! You’re in my heart and prayers. Annie
Your daughter is beautiful,I’m very sorry for your loss.I’ll be praying for you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss,My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We were deeply sadden to hear of your beautiful daughter’s passing. Our heart’s and prayer’s go out to all your family.
Jim – Jennifer – Chayton Though we never got to meet Aiyana in person, she has definately touched our hearts and our lives. May God comfort you in your time of sorrow. Your little angel will forever be remembered. ~DEAR CHILD IN HEAVEN~ You were a blessing to us all you were a special child. And we’re so glad God sent you to be with us awhile. You filled our home with happiness and made our life complete. The time we had with you was far too short, but oh so sweet. Some things we don’t find easy to accept or understand. Until we realize they’re part of our Creator’s perfect plan. Now it comforts us to know you’re with the angels up above. While in our hearts we hold you close Surrounded by our love. Author Unknown
Dear Jim and Jennifer, Having 3 children of my own, I can’t begin to know the pain and sadness that you are going through. I worked with and know “Grandma Kay” and from they way she talked about that little girl she was very proud of her and she was something very special. She touched a lot of people’s hearts and I only wish I would have had the chance to meet her in person. My heart goes out to all of you. Love, Diane
So sorry to hear about your precious baby girl. She Will make a beautiful angel. May you always find comfort in your memories.Thinking of you at this difficult time. May HE Comfort You Today. In sympathy and in prayer.
Dear Jim, Jennifer and Chayton, Our hearts are breaking for you! I just now found out and I am speechless… I had thought Aiyana was doing well, that she was going to be one of the survivors of this awful awful disease… I am so so full of sorrow right now… it has been just under 6 months since Lukie died and it is still so very raw… I remember beautiful Aiyana walking by Luke’s room over and over with her baby stroller, just hoping he would show an interest in her and play! Then I think she liked to see him get all riled up when she would walk by and holler at her (typical boy-girl thing!) We all thought she was a precious angel then- my family still asks about her. Now I understand why I did not hear from you at Christmas….. Please, please let us know if we can help you through this in even the tiniest way. If you haven’t been given this yet, please go get “Safe in the Arms of God” in any Christian bookstore or like Barnes and Noble. It has helped us alot. We are praying for all of you to find strength, peace and comfort, just enough for each day. Right now, enough for each hour… I know you can bearly seem to make it through. WE are here for you guys…All our love and ((((((hugs))))))))
Jim & Jenn, I am so sorry. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts.
Dear Jim and Jennifer, Our condolences on your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Your cousin, Sandy & Barbara Ricciardi (one of Josephine Richards sons)
Jenn,Jim, and Chayton, Words do not always come easy at times such as these, but I wanted you to know how much you are in my thoughts. We have been telling our favorite stories about Aiyana all week. She was the best part of my day when I took care of her. Her beautiful smile and contagious laugh brightened up even the toughest of days. She will not soon be forgotten. I hope that you will find whatever it is that you need to perservere through such a hard time in your lives. You are a truly amazing family. You are the reason we love our jobs here. Aiyana has changed each one of us in big and small ways. If you need anything at all let me know. love nurse april ps Kevin and are moving to Morgantown in May. Hope we can get together sometime:)
My prayers and thoughts are with you! I am Alisha Fernandez’s Grandmother and I lost a little boy at 8 years old and I know exactly what you are going through. God will be with you to give you the strength that you will need. May His blessings be with you always!
Jim, Jennifer and Chayton Words cannot express my thoughts to you. Your strength is an inspiration. Children are given to us by God to give us joy, complete our lives, make us smile. You certainly have been blessed in this way. My prayers are with you all . Love, June
My heartfelt sympathies to your entire family. It’s been said that we are all just “temporary gifts” to each other. Even though Aiyana’s time here was too short, I know she was such a special gift to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim and Jennifer, I can’t tell you how sorry I was to hear of Aiyana’s passing. It has been a year and four months since we lost Jackson and sometimes if feels like just yesterday that I saw him smile. Aiyana was a beatiful girl and I hope you are able to get to the point that when you think of her you’ll be able to just enjoy her memory. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Aimee Reeves