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Too Young, Too Soon… Remembering Svienna Sisaleum Wildoer

Maria-Girlie-Pascual

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

“Strikingly beautiful, well poised, well mannered, well dressed”… these were the words that came to mind when I try to remember when I was first introduced by my son to Svienna Sisaleum at Spiaggia Restaurant in Chicago, at my birthday dinner in February of 2016. They just met a few months before, but even then, my conservative 30 year old somehow knew that this lady was about to change his life, and she did. He moved to California in May of that year, and at the very last minute, Svienna agreed to go with him, both of them taking a leap of faith as only true romantics do. They did what young couples do. They traveled, they tried new things together, they went to visit friends and family, set up their small place in Palm Springs which Svienna happily decorated. She filled it with flowers and candles, photos and plump cushions, a haven for both of them as they slowly got to know each other better, loved each other more. They filled their place with light and laughter, added two dogs, Kooper and Kobe to the mix, and called it “home”.

Soon after, they were married three times the following year in 2017, the first, at a small intimate Chicago matrimonial service in June, at an even more intimate civil ceremony in Los Angeles in July, and the big Mexican Riviera wedding attended by family and friends of both Svienna and Kristoffer’s in October of 2017. Clearly, they were beloved by the people who knew them, and we all witnessed their happiness and joy at becoming husband and wife. The following year, in November of 2018, Svienna and Kristoffer became parents to a “preemie” named Kenzo Kristoffer Wildoer, screaming to come out of his mommy’s womb at only 11 months, 6 weeks early. Thankfully, he has grown to be an active one year old, but what transpired between his birth and first birthday was truly hard and heartbreaking for all of us.

Svienna was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer, and was diagnosed on the first month while carrying Kenzo to term. The doctors did a full hysterectomy three months after she gave birth to Kenzo, which was followed by rounds of chemo and radiation, while others stepped up to help Svienna care for herself and Kenzo. Chicago relatives, myself included, flew to Palm Springs on almost monthly visits to aid my son and his family, and no words can express the world of gratitude we feel for those that helped out from Los Angeles, from Chicago, and family that visited them from Manila and other states just to lend support for what they were going through. My son Kristoffer, finally decided to move back to Chicago right after we celebrated Kenzo’s first birthday in November of last year, so Svienna can be close to her family. A month after celebrating her 38th birthday on New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles, Svienna and Kenzo flew to Chicago to join Kristoffer in February of 2020.

Continuing rounds of chemo and radiation were administered, but by this time, Svienna’s brave battle with her cancer seemed to be failing, and amidst the COVID 19 pandemic, she passed peacefully last month on May 15, 2020. Thankfully, she was not alone, her husband, son and family were next to her when she took her last breath.

Svienna, do not fret lovely one. We will be here next to Kristoffer as he bravely faces the future without you by his side. Whatever God’s plans were, we know, at the very least, that you are now free of pain and is watching Kenzo and whispering about your love into Kristoffer’s heart.

You will always be in all our hearts, for you have touched us with your bravery, beauty and kindness. Rest in peace Svienna, for you are loved, now and forever.

Special thanks to Svienna’s family and friends, as well as Kristoffer’s, for the outpouring of love and support at their saddest hour. Svienna was buried on May 23, 2020 and is survived by her one year old son Kenzo, husband Kristoffer, her father Frank Sisaleum and sisters Malysa and Tanya Sisaleum. She is buried beside her mother Davonne Sisaleum who passed in 2016.

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Kristoffer and Svienna Wildoer

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Svienna and son Kenzo

 

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