Caden Downs Carbah arrived on January 2, 2018 with a broken but brave heart and returned to his heavenly home on December 15, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 20th at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley; burial in Valley Memorial Gardens, Grain Valley. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19th at the funeral home.
Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Caden was lovingly attended to by his mother, Tracy Carbah; big brother, Vincent Carbah; maternal grandparents, Larry and Linda Downs; cousin, Sheri Brown; and numerous adoring family members and friends. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Caden was lovingly attended to by his mother, Tracy Carbah; big brother, Vincent Carbah; maternal grandparents, Larry and Linda Downs; cousin, Sheri Brown; and numerous adoring family members and friends. Caden’s devoted primary nursing team (Mary Ann, Lauren, Lydia, Katherine), cardiac surgeon Dr. James St. Louis, and many other nurturing nurses, doctors, therapists, and Children’s Mercy Hospital staff – too numerous to name but equally essential and appreciated – worked endlessly to provide Caden and his family with quality care. Caden awarded those who loved him with bright smiles and was delighted by books, his array of binkies, and music – especially songs by his music therapist Abigail. His big brother Vincent introduced him to many things, including walks on the unit, time outside, video games, and Pet Pals. Vincent was present and helped Caden first experience one of his greatest joys in life: petting a therapy dog! Caden always reserved the brightest of smiles for his brother, whom he adored. Caden never tired of watching and listening to The Lion King – a fitting story for his courageous life. His joyful soul is dearly missed and his “circle of life” legacy teaches us to live in the moment, thoroughly enjoy life, and increases awareness and clinical knowledge of congenital heart disease. Caden will be lovingly laid to rest near his great-grandparents, James and Helen Downs at Valley Memorial Gardens in Grain Valley, MO. In addition to his mom, brother, and grandparents, Caden leaves behind his Uncle Chris Downs (Aunt Ashley Rogers); Aunt Nicole (Downs) Certain, (Uncle Will Certain); cousins, Aiden and Reid Downs, Mae and Claire Certain; great uncles; great aunts; and many other cousins.
To assist other families in similar situations, please consider donating to the CHD Family Support Fund at Children’s Mercy Hospital at the following address: Congenital Heart Defects Family Support Fund; CMH Philanthropy; 2401 Gillham Road; Kansas City, MO 64108. Donations may also be made by contacting Erica Logan at 816-302-0298 or by visiting https://www.childrensmercy.org/help-our-kids/make-a-gift/ and designating the Congenital Heart Defects Family Support Fund.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441