Taleah Louise English earned her angel wings, Thursday, July 22, two days before her fourth birthday. She passed away quickly and peacefully at home among her brothers and sister.


While Taleah was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, that was only one facet of her life. There was never a braver, more patient, more amazing child. She had many hospitalizations, many challenges, many physical limitations, and she handled all of them with amazing grace. She was never shy about the medical aspects of her life - she was proud to show off her g-tube, her "elephant nose" bi-pap mask, and the lion roars she could make with her cough machine. She spent her days painting, playing with her tea set, listening to stories, and watching her favorite television programs. She loved Dorothy, from the Wizard of Oz, and never tired of watching the movie.


The highlight of her year was attending the Families of SMA conference, where she loved being among all of her friends with SMA.


She will be missed beyond words by her parents, John and Monica English, as well as her siblings: Ethan (10), Natalie (6), and Colin (10 months). Grandparents, Terry Ann and Byron Harward, of Payson, Utah; Jane and Dale McKenna, of Orem Utah; and great-grandparents, Merlin and Avon Compton, of St. George, Utah; Marve Harward, of Provo Utah; Robert and Melva Dean English, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Ila Faber, of Mountain View, California, also honor her life and mourn her passing. Many, many aunts and uncles will miss her smiles and presence.


Taleah's website can be visited at http://www.storesonline.com/site/taleahlouise


Funeral services will be held Monday, July 26, at 2:30 p.m., at the amphitheater at 3626 W Center Street, Provo. Viewing will be held at her family's home at 854 W. 225 South, Orem. Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Sunday evening; and, 11-Noon, Monday morning.


Memorial donations may be made to Families of SMA www.fsma.org in Taleah's name for Dr. Kathryn Swoboda's research fund at Primary Children's Medical Center, and would be
accepted with humble gratitude.