'Immense Grief:' Family Reeling After Death Of 7-Year-Old Mokena Girl

MOKENA, IL — A south suburban family is struggling with its new reality following the sudden death of their 7-year-old daughter last week, and a community is rallying around them in support.

Chris and Vanessa Smurzynski's daughter, Addy, died Friday, Feb. 10, after being ill just one day, Vanessa told Patch. She and her daughter had both felt sick the day prior, and stayed home from school together, warding off low-grade fevers. Addy woke up early Friday morning and vomited twice before falling unconscious. Attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. Doctors said she had contracted a virus that quickly turned to pneumonia, filling her lungs with fluid.

Days later, Smurzynski said they're still in disbelief at how quickly it all happened.

"It just happened so fast," she told Patch. "It was obviously a shock. ... There were no warning signs."

Addy suffered from asthma, and her parents kept a watchful eye on her breathing, but she did not complain of difficulty breathing that night, Smurzynski said. There was no indication of how sick their daughter had become, so suddenly.

"It’s obviously upsetting as a parent,"she said. "I wish I would have picked up any signs, even though there weren’t any signs. ... Such guilt."

Addy was an aspiring gymnast and swimmer, she said, and loved being outside playing with her 3-year-old sister.

"She always wanted to be with family," Smurzynski said. "She was honestly, people say this all the time, but Addy was the sweetest kid ever. The biggest heart, never judged anybody. Just was nice to everybody. The most loving kid ever."

She loved school, and building Lego sets. She was so skilled at assembling them, and recently finished a princess castle set, Smurzynski said. Addy probably couldn't have picked a favorite one, though, she said.

"... she loved them all," Smurzynski said. "I couldn’t hate something more, but she did them all by herself. She would do thousand-piece ones, and she was so good at them at such a young age."

Family friend Deanna Fishel called Addy "the sweetest kid, the best big sister, and mommy’s little helper." The family is tight-knit, she said, with both children spending time with grandparents regularly, and each having a special relationship with Addy.

"It’s been so hard thinking about Vanessa, because she is the kindest person on earth, the best friend," Fishel told Patch.

Since their daughter's death, family and friends have flooded the family with support. A GoFundMe on the family's behalf has raised more than $30,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. Vanessa, who has taught at Stagg High School in Palos Hills for 16 years, said the care and support of the community has been staggering. Chris and Vanessa have deep roots in the south suburbs, having grown up in Tinley Park and attended Victor J. Andrew High School. Smurzynski hopes to take the rest of the school year off.

In addition, a local meal train effort has been started in which organizers are hoping to collect restaurant gift cards that the family can use during this difficult time. Gift cards may be emailed to Vanessa Smurzynski at vsmurzynski@d230.org or more information can be found by clicking here to help provide meals to the family.

"... to navigate this immense grief," she told Patch. "Everyone’s been so helpful, wanting to communicate. Everybody’s asking how they can help, I don't know what to say, because I just don’t know."

The grief is heavy, she said, but her role as a mother helps pull her out of bed.

"Being able to wake up every day and be alive," is difficult, she said. "I have a 3-year-old, she gives me some strength to wake up every day."