Devon Marie Notermann
November 4, 1995 - November 24, 1997
Devon Marie Notermann was born on November 4, 1995 at United Hospital in St Paul, MN. She was born to her loving mother Nichole Marie Notermann. Devon was a very beautiful and healthy baby(or so we thought at the time.). She was the first child to Nichole, the first granchild to Tony and Claudia Notermann, and Robb and Lana Tice and the first niece and godchild to Tony Notermann II, Brett Notermann, Melissa Tice(Aunt Fancy) , Jason and Heather Zander(Auntie Fedder). She was our pride and joy, the apple of our eye!
On December 26, 1995, Devon had her first of many seizures. On this day in 1995, Devon was diagnosed with Lissencephaly, which means smooth brain. Lissencephaly is a very rare disorder, and there is no cure and really no cause. We were told she would never walk, talk, or even sit up. There is no reason for this disorder, it is, what we were told "Just a Fluke!". The pregnancy was very normal, no signs at all. She even scored a 9 on her apgar test.
We were also told at that time that the children who are diagnosed with Lissencephaly generally only live between 2 to 5 years, and will, more than likely, die of pneumonia. They were right to a T. Devon was diagnosed with pneumonia on November 20, 1997 and passed away on November 24, 1997. She had just celebrated her 2 year birthday on November 4(we actually celebrated Devon's birthday every month because we knew she would not live a long life!). She was just two years and 20 days old.
Devon spent more than half of her life in Children's Hospital in St Paul, MN on the 7th floor Epilepsy Unit. Everyone knew Devon. We heard time and time again "She is the most beautiful child I have ever seen..." She had a wonderful doctor named James Dufort, who gave Devon, what we thought alot of extra special attention. He is great and comes very highly recommended by Devon's whole family.
In 1996, Devon was the poster child for the March of Dimes walk in St Paul, MN. Since Devon was diagnosed with this rare birth defect, our whole family has become very strong supporters of the March of Dimes.
Devon's nickname was and still is "Nator." The way she got the nickname was, her Grandpa Tice called her the Devonator. Her Auntie Fedder thought that was too long of a nickname, and shortened it to Nator. So now she is known to most as Nator.
Devon was a very loved child. She touched some many lives, and made a huge impact on all that knew her. Their could never be another angel to touch our familes lives like Devon, or so we thought, until Zachary came along. Devon left a huge hole in all of our hearts, and is missed by all.
