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Everly Grace Snowden January 3, 2021 – July 2, 2024 Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) Everly Grace Snowden was born on January 3, 2021 with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a complex congenital heart condition that meant she lived her life with half of a functioning heart. From the very beginning, she showed a strength and resilience far beyond her years, and her life became a testimony of endurance, love, and purpose. Everly spent the first 6½ weeks of her life inpatient at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where at just 4 days old she underwent her first open heart surgery—the Norwood procedure. She also faced multiple additional procedures and complications early on. At 4 months old, she had her second open heart surgery, the Glenn, and spent much of her first year in and out of the hospital, including 8 inpatient stays and extended time on oxygen support. Despite ongoing medical challenges, Everly continued to grow, learn, and shine. She faced respiratory illnesses and heart complications throughout her early years, yet remained full of life, curiosity, and joy. At 3½ years old, Everly underwent her third open heart surgery—the Fontan. Her recovery in the CICU was extremely complex, including chylous effusions, bronchial casts, multiple chest tubes, heart catheterizations, bronchoscopies, ECMO support, and a rare Fontan reversal performed via catheterization—the first of its kind at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Despite moments of progress and incredible medical effort, her body ultimately could not sustain the Fontan circulation. On July 2, 2024, Everly passed away in the arms of both of her parents. Everly’s life, though marked by immense medical hardship, was also filled with beauty, joy, and purpose. She was sweet, spicy, incredibly smart, and deeply social, with language skills far beyond her age. She loved to sing, dance, read, paint, cook, and create. She adored animals of all kinds, especially puppies, kittens, bunnies, ladybugs, chickens, and tiny frogs. She loved being outside, digging in the dirt, and jumping on her “trampole’.” She adored her brother Cooper, and she loved to travel and explore, visiting places like Florida, California, Maine, and South Dakota. She found joy in simple things—sparkling water (“sparkie water”), pink ice cream with whipped cream and sprinkles, and licking frosting off donuts. Everly said she was special because “that’s how God made me.” Her life was not only one of courage, but also one through which God was actively working. He used her journey to touch countless lives—with her strength in the hospital, her joy in everyday moments, and the love she gave so freely. And even now, after her passing, her life continues to be used in ways bigger than any of us can fully see or understand. Her story continues to bring comfort, faith, awareness, and connection to others walking similar paths. Everly’s life, though far too short, was filled with love, light, and meaning. She is deeply loved, deeply missed, and her impact continues to live on. Psalm 139:24b “…lead me in the way everlasting.”