Obituary of Allison Correa

Allison Eileen Correa was called home to the Lord peacefully at the age of 20 on March 8, 2023. Despite facing numerous health challenges throughout her life, Allison’s zeal and fighting spirit always found a way to bring joy to those around her.

 

Allison was born on April 25, 2002. Shortly after birth she was transferred to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg where she received her first heart transplant on May 11 in the same year. Despite the many medical complications associated with the care of transplant patients, brave little Allison grew stronger. Her infectious smile, laugh, and great sense of ever child-like humor made her a joy to be around. She was a fighter who never gave up. 

 

Around the age of 10, her first heart transplant began to fail. Allison spent over two years at All Children’s Hospital while the intrepid team of doctors, nurses, and aides worked and fought tirelessly for Allison’s benefit. With their advocacy and the grace of God, Allison received her second heart on November 5, 2012.

 

During her lifetime, Allison faced numerous health challenges. Throughout it all, she never lost her love of life nor her sense of humor. Allison was a true inspiration to all who knew her.

 

Despite developmental disabilities and profound deafness, Allison and her family turned to American Sign Language (ASL) and learned to communicate. Her deafness inspired her sister, Kaitlyn, to become fluent in ASL and eventually select ASL as her major in college. Allison was always willing to help others learn and gently corrected those around her as they learned ASL with joy, laughter and a furrowed brow when whatever was being signed to her didn’t make any sense. 

 

Allison was enrolled in the Pasco County School system through high school. She attended Sunlake High School until April 2020. During her senior year in high school, due to growing concerns over her fragile health and major potential health impacts of the Covid epidemic, Allison’s family officially signed her out of the school system. The family wishes to thank one teacher, in particular, Mrs. Anair, who took Allison under her wings and helped her learn important life skills, including ASL. 

 

Allison’s curious and clever mind led her to become an ace at word searches and Scrabble. She enjoyed many hobbies particularly coloring, puzzles, and arts and crafts. She loved going on long walks, bicycle rides, and watching the beauty of nature. Allison delighted in seeing the changing color of the sky at sunset while sitting on the swing in the backyard with her nana. She loved bowling with her father, dining out at restaurants, swimming, shopping, helping out in the kitchen cooking, and playing board games.

 

Allison's perpetual childlike spirit led to some of her favorite things including trips to Disney with her sister, Kaitlyn, to spend time with an ASL signing cast member playing Peter Pan. She looked forward to trips to the northeast and visiting extended family – especially when snow was on the ground. She adored having her head and back rubbed and the Christmas holiday season. She was exceptionally excited each year to spend Christmas Eve with Kaitlyn “waiting for Santa” to come. Allison also loved the Baby Angel song, giving kisses, putting Nana to bed, and coloring with Poppy.

 

Allison leaves behind her devoted family including her mother, Karen Allen of Land O’Lakes, FL, father, Charles Correa and his wife Jessica of Land O’Lakes, FL, and sister, Kaitlyn Correa of Orlando, FL. Allison is survived by her grandparents Richard and Catherine Allen of Land O’Lakes, FL (formerly Shirley, NY) and Joseph and MaryAnne Correa of Queens, NY. She is predeceased by grandmother, Karen Eileen Correa of East Patchogue, NY. Allison is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins who all share in mourning her loss.

 

The entire family is ever grateful to the two unknown donor families who generously and selflessly donated the organs of their loved ones. Their great sacrifice in the face of immense sorrow gave Allison’s family the wonderful gift of her presence for 20 years. 

 

Likewise, Allison’s family is grateful to the medical team who are forever in the hearts and minds of an indebted family. They would like to thank, in particular, Dr. Astante-Korang, Dr. Ayestaran Cassani, nurses Peggy and Kim, heart transplant coordinators Jennifer, Anthony and Elizabeth, and all the wonderful staff who have helped Allison at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg over the last two decades.

 

Allison will be deeply missed by her family and those who knew her. Her memory will live on in their hearts forever as a loving, kind, fun-loving soul who touched so many lives with her tenacity, strength, and humor. Family and friends may pay their respects during the wake being held at Loyless Funeral Home Land O’Lakes located at 5310 Land O' Lakes Blvd on Sunday, March 12, 2023 from

4-6 p.m.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Allison Eileen Correa to either All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg or Catholic Relief Services. 

 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church located at 2348 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes, FL  on Monday, March 13 at 10:30 a.m. Family and friends will attend a private interment afterwards.

 

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