Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Rowan James DeChenne Memorial
Rowan James DeChenne Memorial

Rowan James DeChenne

Rowan James DeChenne

Tuesday, November 12th, 2019

Rowan James DeChenne, age one month, passed away at 12:58 am, November 8, 2019.  He was born October 8, 2019 in Seattle, WA to Ryan and Madison (Cruse) DeChenne.  He spent his final moments in his parents arms, was at peace, and no longer in pain.

Rowan was a strong baby. He was born with the very rare condition: “Schaaf-Yang syndrome”, specifically del1996c, the most severe form of the syndrome. There was no literature on this specific type of Schaaf-Yang as most of the babies with that deletion passed away within a few days of birth. Because of Rowan’s strength, doctors now have more information on this condition.

Rowan’s life has benefitted and touched so many lives and we feel so blessed to have had the time that we did with him and honored to be his parents. His last day was a happy one; he smiled and played with us up until his last moments.

Rowan loved hearing his mom and dad sing a special song written just for him, and to listen to his daddy play guitar.  He loved to listen to Mozart and have his mom and dad read him his favorite books, “The Pout Pout Fish” and “Thomas the Rabbit.”  He loved his Slug-Bunny made by Auntie Caryl, and Bubsy Bunny, who helped him through tough times.

Rowan is survived by his parents, Ryan and Madison DeChenne, of Marysville, WA; Grandparents, Rick DeChenne, of Arlington, and Scott and Jo Cruse, of Helena, MT; Great Grandparents: Linda Potter of Arlington; Russ and Margie Snell of Sedro Woolley; numerous aunts, uncles cousins and friends who loved him. He was loved by so many for a child who lived such a short life.

He was preceded in death by his Grandma, Rena DeChenne.

He will be missed by many, but he will forever be our sweet perfect Rowan. He wrote his story and his story can help other Schaaf-Yang babies in the future.

Share your memories of Rowan, and offer your condolences on the online guest register.

Guestbook

  • Gaëlle Hourriez-Bolatre

    Dear family,
    We are so sorry for your loss.
    Little Rowan, thank you for all the lives that you’ve changed… We’ve been touched by you, as so many people.
    May you all know that you have a SYS tribe, caring for you and that you will always be remembered.
    Gaëlle, Olivier and Nolan

  • Donna Grinton

    Maddie and Ryan,
    Your precious angel touched my heart, as he did so many others. Having time to hold, to cuddle, read stories to, be sung to and hear the melody played by daddy on the guitar is your cherished memory. Rowan will be with and in your hearts all the days of your lives.

  • Aleshia Sterland

    Dear Rowen, This is great auntie Aleshia. I’m here in Montana carrying you in my heart each day. I loved your grandmother Rena as she was my sister. Please know that you are loved and remembered by so many people. To me you are alive in heaven with grandma Rena. You are alive and well with no pain. I will continue to care for your parents with love, compassion, hugs, and prayers. You will always be remembered as a strong little bright light.

  • Vicki Lockman

    We are so very sorry for your loss of baby Rowan.
    The Lockman Family of Monroe

  • Melinda Anderson

    So sorry for your loss. Much love passed to your family. Prayers and hugs at this very tough time.

  • Lindsey Sipp

    Oh sweet Rowan how you will be missed.

    The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions if the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
    Psalm 34:18-19

  • Deb Sheffield

    Maddie and Ryan,
    The loss of those we love – and have longed for – is hard to bear, no matter how short the life lived. It’s impossible to forget the first joyous moments of discovering that a new life has begun; your subsequent hopes and dreams; your close physical connection. Life can be unfathomably cruel, but what keeps us going is the ability to love, to hope, and to remember. The loss of sweet Rowan will remain part of the fabric of your being as long as you both draw breath. Your bond will endure, and those that love you will always be standing next to you, ready to hold your hands. Love and peace to you all… ❤️🙏🏻❤️

  • The Hansen’s

    Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.. unseen, unheard, but always near. Rowan will always be loved and always be missed. He has touch our lives so dearly 💗

  • Sarah LeClair

    Rowan is a beautiful soul and wonderful gift to the world—I loved seeing your updates about him, his adorable Halloween costumes and how much he loved his bunny. You both are the best parents he could’ve ever been blessed with and my heart goes out to you.

  • Susan Bodner

    I am so sorry for you all! We know he is well and completely whole now in the kingdom but big hole left here!

  • Debbie Sullivan

    Sweet baby Rowan, you were here a very short time but you touched so many different people. We all enjoyed your progress and the many pictures shared by your loved ones. You will be missed and always loved. Be at peace.

  • Caryl Burroughs

    We are thankful to God for baby Rowan’s sweet life. His tender mercy and care were evidenced in Rowan’s parents choice to give him LIFE and in their love and devotion to their infant son. God’s cords of human kindness were further evident in the knowledge and wisdom of the doctors and nurses at Seattle Children’s Hospital in NICU who affectionately cared for him day and night. We are privileged to have known Rowan and to have loved him as best we could for the time we had. But the Great Lover of Rowan’s soul thought it BEST to care for him in Heaven and we are confident in Christ Jesus that we will be with Rowan again on That Day.

  • Grammie Jo

    Thank you so much, to everyone who prayed for Rowan, who sent notes of encouragement and gifts. They truly helped us. And we appreciate the kindnesses. Thank you to Children’s hospital for all their efforts and thoughtfulness! Especially Rowan’s primary nurses, Laura and Jillian..,but also nurse and professional who worked on Rowan’s case. ♥️ Rowan was such a precious boy. Born with so many challenges, but he did have a little personality, and let us know how he felt with his facial expressions. He loved his parents and opened his eyes to see them, as long as he could and he tried when he could not. On Wednesday night the nurses brought in a big bed so Rowan could cuddle With his parents all night. As soon as Maddie cuddled Rowan, his heart rate went up a bit, and he just seemed to be so much more at peace! He didn’t mind her rubbing his head, and he smiled! (Because most of the time he got tired of us rubbing and kissing his head, and he would frown and move away.) It was like he was thinking: “oh, there you are! I missed you! This is where I am meant to be” ♥️ I loved him so much. And he loved his Grammie. I got the first smile! His parents were gifted with his last: when they took the tube out of his throat, he smiled! He was so happy to have out! For several hours we were finally able to cuddle him, rock him, bathe and dress him, without all the wires and tubes! Then, Jesus quietly snuck in and took him home. It was beautiful and peaceful. But, I wanted him to stay so badly, and I miss him so much!