Leia Audrey Aitken

On June 11th 2020 at 5:45pm Leia Audrey Aitken was born with great joy and love into the arms of her parents Paul Arthur Aitken and Stephanie Jean Aitken (nee. Ernewein). She weighed 8lbs 1oz and was 21” long. She had strong arms, big feet, a round face, the sweetest little nose, and beautiful pursed lips. She was perfect and everything we could have ever hoped for. The love that was shown her by the many hands and hearts of those who cared for her was immeasurable. Her midwives, Caroline and Kimberly of Aurora Midwifery, her Aunty Amanda, Luke and Kirby of the Respiratory NICU team, Strathmore Hospital staff, Strathmore EMS, STARS Air Ambulance, Edwards Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Alberta Children's Hospital, Dr. Martin and NILMDTS Photographer, joined Leia in her fight to give us the most wonderful gift of a day with her. When the time came for her breathing supports to be removed  it was predicted she may only have a few minutes. Leia showed her strength by breathing on her own to give us five more magical hours. After her last breath her heart kept beating with ours for thirty minutes. Showing us that for her the impossible was just another kind of possible. On June 12 at 11:11pm in the arms of her parents, sweet Leia died peacefully.

Leia is remembered by her great grandmother Doris Lemon; grandparents, Bernard and Gillian Ernewein, Bruce Aitken; aunts, Amanda Ernewein (Darcy George), Mavis Ure (Curtis); her uncles, Scott Aitken (Desiree), Luke Aitken (Danielle); her cousins, Sierra George, Savannah, Waylon and Garrett Ure, Jade Aitken, Jack, Sawyer and Elle Aitken. Leia is predeceased by her grandmother Kathryn Aitken. 

Leia will be honored in a private, invitation only service on Thursday June 18, 2020 at Hope Community Covenant Church in Strathmore Alberta. A viewing will begin at 12:00pm with a funeral at 1:00pm and a graveside burial to follow at the Strathmore Cemetery.

Our family would love to receive your words of condolence via posting your message here on her tribute page.

Donations in Leia’s honor are to be directed towards the Edwards Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Alberta’s Children Hospital in Calgary.

A livestream video of her service will be available at https://youtu.be/GCNmbbzeqNs.

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