Abbey Rose's legacy lives on

HURON — Spouses Suzi and Sam Kudrin unfortunately know the harrowing feeling of losing a young child. Their first-born daughter, Abbey Rose, died in 2011. She was 5 months old. To keep her legacy alive and offer as much comfort to other grieving families experiencing a similar loss, they came up with a consoling concept. Through the past few months, they worked with area seamstresses to transform worn wedding dresses into angel gowns for both boys and girls. "They're a gown for infants or stillborns who pass away at a very young age," Suzi said. "When Abbey passed away, we were at Rainbow Babies And Children's Hospital in Cleveland, and they had us pick out an outfit for her to wear after she passed, and the outfit was ugly," Suzi said. "When the family comes in to say their final goodbyes, we want them to have a great dress the child or stillborn can wear that's cute." Sam echoed his wife's sentiments. "It's something very personal to us and a lot of other people. It's the last thing your child will have on," he said. "It's a special moment, and these are special gowns that are handmade and have a lot of heart in them." Hope through Happy Quilters To create the angel gowns, the Kudrins connected with Sandusky resident Suzy Sanders. Sanders belongs to a group called Happy Quilters. Members meet at Christ Episcopal Church in Huron. The Kudrins' neighbor, Beth Fisher, who's friends with Sanders, first introduced them. "We normally provide quilts for the homeless, military members, children and babies," said Sanders, noting her 10-member group formed about 20 years ago. "We just want to help the community in any way we can and be an extension of Jesus." Sanders and her group recently created 32 angel gowns cut from five wedding dresses specifically for the Abbey Rose Foundation in memory of Abbey. About a month ago, a foundation board member dropped off these gowns at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky. They'll go to families who have lost a child there. "I want them to know each gown is made with love," Suzi said when discussing what the dresses convey. "It's one less thing the family has to worry about during such a difficult time. The gowns are also something they can take home with them. Leaving the hospital empty-handed is not something anyone wants to do." Suzi greatly appreciates the group's efforts. "It's such an honor that they're a part of this," Suzi said about the group's members. Looking ahead to 2022, the Kudrins want to work with Happy Quilters to make more gowns and donate them to Firelands and other local hospitals. Through their foundation, the Kudrins are seeking monetary donations to make more angel gowns. People can visit abbeyrosekudrin.com/about-us/ to donate or learn more about the nonprofit. A parent's worst nightmare Nov. 18 would have marked Abbey's 11th birthday. Shortly after her death, on April 8, 2011, Suzi and Sam started the Abbey Rose Foundation. In short, it's a nonprofit dedicated to aiding in the prevention of SIDS — sudden infant death syndrome — along with providing hope and comfort for families grieving the loss of a child. "Our mission is to provide hope and comfort for families that have lost a child, and the angel gowns are definitely something that has met that mission," Suzi said. "It's something we wished we had when Abbey passed away." While in the care of a babysitter, Abbey took a nap and never woke up. Within the next 24 hours, paramedics transferred Abbey to Rainbow's, where she passed away from multiple organ failure. "It's the worst thing that can happen to a parent. We were in shock. We were overcome with this feeling of numbness," Sam said. "But for myself and Suzi, if it wasn't for our faith and in our trust and belief in the lord, I don't think we would have ever been able to get through it." Suzi then chimed in: "We also had so much support from our family and friends. That really helped." The death actually made their bond as spouses, and parents, stronger. "We would sleep in (Abbey's) room, and I remember telling (Suzi) I am not going anywhere," Sam said. Suzi said "the same thing back to me." The two would go on to have four more children — Olivia, 9, Zoey, 8, Elena, 5, and Isabella, 2 — who are all healthy and happy. "We did think, 'What happens if this happens again?'" Suzi thought aloud, underscoring the possibility of another child dying. "The first pregnancy after Abbey, with Olivia, helped us so much. We were able to stay strong. We couldn't sit there and feel bad for ourselves because we had another child on the way and, soon thereafter, to care for." Remembering Abbey forever In their Ohio Street home, a shelf doubles as a shrine to Abbey. Among some of the more notable items on display: her pink baby shoes and a couple of pictures showcasing her big smile. "It's a tribute to her," Sam said. "It's a way we can tell our other four daughters about Abbey. They can learn about her and from her." Also on the shelf sits a book titled "Mommy, Please Don't Cry: There Are No Tears in Heaven." "It's a book that gets people to talk about someone who has lost someone at an early age," Sam said. "It truly helps those in mourning." Through the Abbey Rose Foundation, Suzi and Sam have sent out 500 of those very books — an overwhelming majority to those who they don't personally know — to help other parents cope with their grief. "It's a very comforting book," Suzi said. No matter with books or angel gowns, the Abbey Rose Foundation aims to help parents know they're not alone in their grieving process and life can, and does, go on. "Helping others is a great way for us to also heal, it's a great way to provide hope to others, and it's a great way for Abbey's legacy to live on forever," Suzi said. Want to help? Established in 2013, the Abbey Rose Foundation has supported more than 500 families nationwide who have unexpectedly lost a young child. People can visit abbeyrosekudrin.com/about-us/ to donate or learn more about the nonprofit.