Isabella Nicole Kurek of Norwalk, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 following a long and courageous battle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Type 1. She was 6 years old.

Born in Norwalk on December 26, 2003, she began touching the lives of so many people.  Isabella was a warm and gentle soul.  She showed strength and courage in her fight against a disease for which there is no cure.  After being diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, she was given less than two years to live.  She greatly surpassed everyone’s expectations.

Isabella had a wonderful life despite her dependence on a feeding tube and ventilator.  She was constantly surrounded by those who loved her.  She did what most kids of her age did; she loved going to school and playing with her siblings.  Isabella graduated preschool and began kindergarten before her condition deteriorated, physically making school too difficult.  She loved to play with her sisters and enjoyed the special times spent reading with her brother.  She loved butterflies and the color pink.  Isabella was fortunate to have a collection of the best doctors, nurses, therapists and teachers, as well as a group of very caring little friends.

She will always be missed by her loving family.

She is survived by her mother, Joanna (Blaszkiewicz) and her stepfather, Dr. Harlan McLaughlin, Jr. of Norwalk; her father, Wieslaw Kurek of Norwalk; two sisters, Natalie Kurek and Emma McLaughlin; a brother, Reilly McLaughlin; her special aunt and godmother, Anna Blaszkiewicz of Norwalk; godfather, Hubert Matejkowski of Stamford ; her uncle, Artur Blaszkiewicz and wife, Teresa with two loving cousins, Nell and Alex of Norwalk; maternal grandparents, Danuta and Marek Blaszkiewicz of Norwalk; paternal grandmother, Jozefa Kurek of Poland; extended paternal grandparents, Harlan Sr. and Marie McLaughlin of Maine.

Honoring Isabella’s wishes, all services will be held privately, at the convenience of her family.  Please visit Isabella’s website at www.oursmaangels.com/Isabella

Memorial contributions in Isabella’s name may be sent to: