Life Legacy
Sienna Marie Palkovic, of San Diego, CA, was taken to heaven on angels’ wings on Sunday, April 22, 2012. She was a miracle of God’s love who blessed our lives each day for sixteen short but wonderful months. Sienna loved life, family, friends, and her dog Hula (“Hoo-Wa”). She radiated an inner light that brightened everyone’s day with her contagious smile, that began almost at birth, and with her affectionate hugs and kisses.
Our precious memories of our beloved Sienna will be cherished forever. As an infant, Mommy called her “Happy Feet” because of the way she’d kick her feet with excitement and pure happiness. Early on, she entertained us by blowing raspberries and watching our reaction. She made people laugh with her comical personality especially as she began to talk and interact more. We thought Sienna was born to be a stand-up comedian but instead God had a different plan for her - to bring smiles to the faces of the angels in heaven.
Sienna grew to be a strong and healthy toddler. She had changed so much since birth. As her light brown hair grew in, she rocked the mohawk look. Her eyes turned a sky-blue that permeated through our hearts. As she grew to look more like her Daddy, some family members nicknamed her “Little Daniella”.
Sienna loved to eat and eagerly looked forward to drinking her “baba” of milk. in her last couple on months, she had acquired a taste for black olives that she’d happily put on her fingers before eating them. Sienna learned to communicate by SIGNING with her hands, especially if she wanted “more” of something. Eventually she let us know what she wanted by pointing and answering with her famous “YA” to mean “YES that’s what I want!”. She was learning new things every day and had such a zest for life!
Sienna was always a good sleeper. Before cuddling up with her favorite purple penguin, she’d lay on Daddy’s chest wearing her cozy sleepsack and fall peacefully to sleep in his big, comfy arms. Her favorite “Mommy Place” was sitting on Mama’s hip with arms and legs wrapped tightly around her like a little “Koala Bear” (which Mommy called her), so cuddly and lovable.
Sienna had a special place in her heart for babies. On her last Christmas morning with us, Santa surprised Sienna with her very own baby doll that she immediately bonded with. She would often give it hugs and call it “BABY”. She shared that same pure affection with her loved ones.
Sienna looked up to her big sister “BEL-LA” (as she would accentuate the letter L). Together they would color, take bubble baths, go for walks in the double stroller with Mommy and Hula, play at the park where Sienna especially enjoyed the slide and the swings, and play “chase” around the kitchen island. Sienna and Isabella were inseparable. They had an incredible bond that they shared as sisters and just as Isabella was watchful and protective of her little sister on Earth, Sienna is now watching over her big sister from Heaven above.
During her last few months, we remember Sienna at a fun age exploring the world and experiencing her independence. She climbed on everything like a little monkey. She enjoyed coloring with markers, dancing, knocking over stacked blocks, putting caps on things, mixing ingredients in a bowl, hugging her big dog “Hoo-Wa”, and rocking on her neighing horsie in her room. Sienna was a social girl who loved to imitate us pushing buttons and talking on our cell phones. She always noticed “girly” accessories like jewelry and hair bands. She would hold her arm out for us to put a watch or bracelet on her. Sienna also loved being outdoors where she’d kick a soccer ball around the front yard, ride in her pink trike, run to get the mail, and greet the neighbors on her street. She enjoyed playing “Peek-a-Boo”, “See-Saw” and rolled her arms in a circle while playing “Pat-a-Cake”. She found out that shoes are for feet and hats are for heads. She learned to blow bubbles from a wand and pop them in the air. Sienna loved to be rocked and read to before naptime. She enjoyed listening to interactive stories where she could lift the flaps and feel textures. Afterwards, she’d be ready for a “nappy”. Her sweetness would permeate the room as she slept.
On April 30, 2012, Sienna was laid to rest on a grassy hill at Dearborn Cemetery (Poway, California) on what would have been her seventeen-month birthday. She overlooks all the other babies who are now her heavenly playmates. These special "little ones" are making Heaven a more beautiful place. Our sweet angel Sienna is now watching over us until we reunite with her again one day.
Sienna is survived by her loving parents - Dan and Jennifer Palkovic, big sister - Isabella, paternal grandfather - Jim Palkovic, paternal grandmother - Gloria Mulder of Orcutt, CA, maternal grandparents - Joseph and Beverly Benedetto of Stratford, CT and all her aunts, uncles, and cousins. We will be reminded of her joyful spirit with every rainbow, sunset, gentle breeze, blue sky, beautiful butterfly, and singing bird.
“WHEN GOD CALLS LITTLE CHILDREN”
When God calls little children
to dwell with Him above,
We mortals sometime question
the wisdom of His love.
For no heartache compares with
the death of one small child,
Who does so much to make our world
seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to His fold,
So He picks a rosebud
before she can grow old.
God knows how much we need them
and so He takes but a few,
To make the land of Heaven
more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult still
somehow we much try,
The saddest word mankind knows will always be “Goodbye”.
So when a little child departs
we who are left behind,
Must realize God loves children,
Angels are hard to find.
“Let the Children come to me”... Mark 10:13
Although we seem so far apart,
You're always here within our hearts.
You filled our lives with joy and pleasure,
You are to us a precious treasure.
A little while shall pass and then,
We'll see each other once again.
Loved, remembered and held so dear,
In minds and hearts you're always here.
Loving you always our little Sienna!
Love, Mommy and Daddy
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Born: November 30, 2010
Place of Birth: San Diego, CA
Death: April 22, 2012
Place of Death: Poway, CA
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This memorial provided by:
Poway-Bernardo Mortuary
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