Chloe Ysabella Burlingame

Chloe Ysabella Burlingame entered this world on December 27, 2001. She truly was a miracle and a gift to her mother Jael and father Joel. The fight ahead of her would be long, challenging and would hold many obstacles. Doctors warned of the strength she would need to make it in this  world. You may not know that her parents were advised that she may not even live 24 hours. Clearly the doctor's DID NOT understand Chloe's will to live, thrive and prove everyone wrong. Chloe's parents really had no idea what the journey would hold for themselves, Chloe, and all who so desperately loved Chloe.

Direct, Chloe was direct and did not shy away from the truth about anything. She constantly challenged her doctors and asked every question that came to her mind….SHE needed ALL the answers. Her amazing doctors at CHOC proclaimed, "she was  mentally ahead of her time for her age", "She articulates her words and emotions so clearly",  "she's always a joy to speak with", "She's one of my favorite patients." Her courageous life would require all the maturity, love, strength, humor (and MAN was she FUNNY), power, answers, and loved ones that GOD gifted to her throughout her beautiful 20 years in our presence. Let's talk about her journey and gifts…

Chloe LOVED to make people laugh, especially her Mama, whom she also called Mumsie or Carol. Jael lovingly called her Flopsie or Mildred (yes Chloe was kind of like a little old lady at times), together she and her mom were a comedy show for those witnessing their  playfulness. To get a reaction, Chloe would do almost anything. She was not afraid to be silly (we should all do more of that freely). Her playfulness extended to friends and family too. Adventure, how she loved to travel and have adventures with family and friends.

Chloe's presence graced so many places including, Colorado, Cancun, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Utah, San  Francisco, Seattle, Catalina Island, Guadalajara, Rosarito, and her last trip with her Mom and Stepdad, was a magical excursion to Alaska (Thanks to Make a Wish). Witnessing the  Northern Lights was a lifelong dream of hers that was fulfilled during this trip. Dog sledding and snowshoeing were other adventures on this Alaskan trip that were incredible experiences for Chloe and her family. She also LOVED cruises and traveling with her grandparents. Chloe loved stargazing and was intrigued by the moon. She took a trip with her family to Joshua Tree where she got to use her telescope and be in the nature she loved so much. The beach held a special  place in Chloe's heart…she loved getting in the water and enjoyed boogie boarding.

Some of you know that Camp Del Corazon (her heart camp) in Catalina Island was a greatly anticipated location for her every summer. The connections she made with friends, who all had different heart issues, changed her life. One place she desired to take a road trip to was Oregon, that dream did not happen for Chloe. SO, we encourage you all to take a trip to Oregon or a road trip in honor of Chloe. Let's not put off these adventures anymore!

Chloe had many strengths and hobbies, a few you may not know about. She was pretty shy about singing in front of others, which is unfortunate, because she sang beautifully. Her mother and grandmother, were  often blessed with her musical gifts. It made them cry and they praised her for her lovely voice. Chloe LOVED music!! She had created so many playlists with interesting names like, 'Music for middle aged people', 'Music for Mom' and 'Having a super duper day'. Each playlist had a theme.

Games, yes she was competitive too, some of her favorite games were Scattergories and the card game of Speed. Hopefully, no one here is offended, but she did a lot of impersonations of people too. We think she did it just to get a laugh from her audience, not to be disrespectful to anyone. She really did love people!! She loved to have family gatherings, she loved to be around people. If you were blessed to be loved by Chloe, you know she loved so hard. Her sisters too were beyond  special to her. Chloe had a special love for her Grandma & Grandpa as well. She proclaimed, "My  Grandma is like my 2nd mom and always makes me laugh and my Grandpa is like my 2nd dad  and is really good to talk to."

There are some people that can HULA HOOP well, Chloe was one of  those people. Painting with Bob Ross was a major love for Chloe, her creative mind and love for nature shown through in so many ways. TREES, especially Balsam Fir and Pine Trees, were a  comfort to her, she loved their beauty and scent. Some of Chloe's favorite foods were Sushi, air fried chickpeas, pasta, and popcorn. Her childhood meals consisted mostly of buttered pasta…and she ate a lot of it!

Her collection of snow globes was pretty important to her, they are magical,  just like Chloe. You can shake a snow globe and it changes into a different world and always  settles back into its original condition. Chloe was kind of like that, she was shaken by many trials, and she always settled back into the unprecedented, beautiful soul that she was on this earth. 

No one loved a good movie like Chloe, some of her favorites were, The Notebook, Juno, Con Air, School of Rock, and Napoleon Dynamite. If you were blessed to see her impersonation of KIP from Napoleon Dynamite, you know how funny she was and how she nailed that impersonation. Chloe created a lot of her own movies. In recent years, there are many clips created on her phone with her mom, stepdad, sisters, extended family and friends. Chloe loved to capture the moments. Chloe had an intelligence and instinct about her that eludes many. Chloe was a ripped jeans and t-shirt kind of girl with a brain and heart that far surpassed her age.

Despite her challenges, she accomplished more than one might expect at such a young age. She did well in school and had just simultaneously completed two AA's in Psychology while also working as a waitress. She was looking forward to taking her next steps at a 4 year college. San Marcos was going to be her next collegiate adventure. A degree in Psychology was the goal for Chloe. Her dream was to work with and change the lives of foster kids. She loved to figure people out, she would have accomplished  greatness in her chosen career path. Chloe had faith in people, she had hope for the best in people.

Chloe was the sunshine in her mom's life and she knew it. 'You are my Sunshine' was a song that her mom always sang to her. Chloe, just prior to leaving this earth, had ordered her mom a gift and told her, "please don't open it until I am with you, I can't wait for you to open it, I know you're gonna love it." This very special gift arrived in the mail 3 days after Chloe left this life. It was a necklace with a sunflower, that opened up to a pendant that read "You are my Sunshine". A TREASURED gift from a daughter to her mother.

Chloe was a treasured gift to us all and her physical presence will be deeply felt and missed for the rest of our time here. She is survived by Mother Jael Sandoval, Father Joel Burlingame, Step Father James Sandoval, Grandmother Sofia Arroyo, Grandfather Leobardo Arroyo, Grandma Debbie Gallagher, Grandma Barbara Burlingame and Sisters, Hannah, Charlotte, and Ruby Burlingame. She also leaves behind Aunts, Uncles, Nephews, Niece, Cousins, Friends, Classmates and Co-workers, all of whom she deeply loved. Chloe Ysabella Burlingame left this earth on June 15, 2022. She had lots of dreams and wishes still to complete.

She came into this world fighting and despite her challenges, she  managed to smile on days when she may not have felt like it. We encourage you to follow Chloe's example, love ever so strongly, smile on days, even when you don't feel like it, and be the  Sunshine in the lives of others.  

Thank you for your example Chloe, you are so loved and so missed!