A celebration of life and committal services will be held for Brooklyn Rose Buzek on March 27 at Garden of Memories, in Tampa.
Brooklyn weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces and measured 12.5 inches long, when she arrived into the world on Aug. 20.
She was born at just 24 weeks gestation, and spent 187 days at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, before going home with her parents, Amber and Dennis.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Donna Robinson, of Tampa, to help the family.
The page expresses how Brooklyn’s life affected others.
“At just 7 months old, Brooklyn had already taught us all so much about strength, perseverance and overcoming obstacles,” the page says. “With the odds stacked against her since birth we have watched in awe as the miracle baby continued to fight the good fight.”
It goes on: “During her short life she withstood more than any human should have to, but her fighter spirit, which was earned honestly from the parents who have been by her side each and every step of the way, rose to each challenge she faced.”
After Brooklyn’s release from the hospital, her parents dedicated themselves to her 24-hour care.
On the morning of March 15, they realized something was wrong with the baby, and called 911. Brooklyn was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, but did not survive.
The infant’s obituary describes the imprint she left on others.
“Brooklyn’s journey impacted many people from those who knew and cared for her to friends around the world who have followed her miracle story from conception. Brooklyn was loved deeply by so many and her memory will live on through all of the family and friends who have been there along the way,” the obituary reads.
In an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Amber said she found out she was pregnant on Mother’s Day — which was a surprise because she and Dennis had been together 18 years and she didn’t think she could get pregnant.
They were excited by the news.
They had a baby shower on Aug. 16, at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, in Land O’ Lakes.
Amber said she recalls feeling crampy and uncomfortable earlier on that day.
“But I had never been pregnant before, so I was just, ‘This is what it’s like to feel pregnant,’” she said.
Later that night, she asked Dennis: “Honey, can you take me to the emergency room around the corner. I just want to make sure everything is OK.”
They went to a 24-hour ER, but were advised to go to a hospital.
The couple went to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, and from there, Amber was transported to St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, where Brooklyn was born on Aug. 20.
After Brooklyn’s birth, the couple made daily trips to the NICU, and took photos to record their baby’s journey. They also learned how to use the equipment they would need to use in caring for their baby at home.
Amber’s grief at the loss of her daughter, is palpable.
“It’s hard because everybody is like, ‘Oh, God had better plans.’ But, I don’t understand how the plan for her — not to be here — could have been better than the life we could have gave her,” Amber said.
She said she’s not sure she will ever understand.
She is grateful, though, for the help of others, particularly Donna and Ron Robinson, who stepped in to make the funeral arrangements.
“I don’t know how I could have done it without them,” she said.
As for herself, Amber said she is just trying to pick up the pieces.
“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time,” she said.
In addition to her parents, Brooklyn is survived by siblings Brittany Buzek, Braily Buzek and Brandyn Buzek, grandmother Tena Frost, aunt and uncle Pam and Kevin Oliva and a large extended family, according to the online obituary.
The family welcomes all to attend Brooklyn’s Life Celebration and Committal services on March 27 at 1 p.m., at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33610.
To read more about Brooklyn, visit Brooklyn Rose Buzek’s Journey, on Facebook.
If you would like to help, visit the GoFundMe page, at Tinyurl.com/4tchjh77.
Brooklyn’s Life Celebration and Committal Services
When: March 27, 1 p.m.
Where: Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa
All are welcome to attend.
Published March 24, 2021
