Leila Hope Adamson

Leila Hope Adamson ran into the loving arms of her Creator, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Born with a genetic condition, Trisomy 18, on December 28, 2011, she lived for fourteen years and four months—never once angry about the life that God had planned for her.

She was a simple girl, yet a lover of travel. At 18 months we traveled to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney and Seaworld. At 2-1/2, she and her family traveled back to Orlando, for her Make-A-Wish trip, perhaps setting a record for the most consecutive rides on “It’s a Small World” at Disney. That same summer we also traveled to Norfolk, Virginia to attend our first Support Organization for Trisomy (SOFT) Conference. At 7-1/2, we returned to Florida for her 1st cruise. Her adventures continued with multiple trips across the country to attend the SOFT conferences. Along the way, she visited the Grand Canyon, Sequoia, and Yellowstone National Parks.

Beyond traveling, she simply loved life. Over the past year and a half, she embraced the title of “teenager”—sleeping in, giving a bit of sass to anyone who asked her to do something she preferred not to do, and mastering the unmistakable “stink eye.” Her greatest passion, however, was music. She loved listening to it, creating it, and dancing to it.

Throughout her life, Leila was surrounded by extraordinary care and love from many medical professionals, especially the team of nurses who cared for her at home. Kandi Wilson was like a second mother to Leila, sacrificing continuously to ensure she received the care and love she needed. Sue Stone became a grandmother figure, faithfully caring for her for almost 14 years. Despite her diagnosis, Leila was blessed to live the vast majority of her life outside hospital walls. God truly was the great physician, guiding her care even when many doctors early on predicted a life filled with hospital stays, pain, and suffering.

Leila was deeply loved and valued by her incredible medical team. We would like to personally acknowledge and thank Dr. Donald Steward, Leila’s selfless and amazing pediatrician since birth—we are blessed to call him both doctor and friend. At American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, we are grateful for her supportive and thorough Complex Care team, led by Dr. Mary Ehlenbach and Dr. Heidi Kloster. We also extend a special thank you to Dr. Vivek Balasubramaniam (Pulmonary) and Dr. Janet Legare (Neuromotor Developmental), along with the many others who cared for her so faithfully. Finally, we thank Dr. John Carey, geneticist and medical advisor to SOFT. This team of professionals was always available when needed, and we were truly blessed to have them walk this journey with us.

Leila is survived by her parents, James and Kari Adamson, and her eight siblings: Kirsten, Braeden (Kassidy), Madelyn, Brantley, Kevin, Hannah, Micah, and Abigail. She is also survived by: her grandmothers, Mary Brockman and Barbara Adamson; her aunt, Rebecca Wiltse; her uncles, Tony (Stephanie) Brockman and Chris (Amanda) Adamson; her great aunts, Rose Ann Carne and Linda (Gary) Deiter; and her cousins, Kaylee (Kyle), Trenton, Weston, Petra, Pascal, Gabriel, Noah, and Lorelai. She is also survived by one nephew, Oliver James Adamson, whom she “loved from a distance.”

Leila was preceded in death by her grandfather, David Adamson, as well as numerous great aunts, uncles, and great grandparents. She was also preceded in death by her foster sister, Amari, who shared the same genetic condition. We take comfort in knowing that Leila has been reunited with her “trisomy brothers and sisters,” friends she met throughout her years of gatherings and outings. We can only imagine the celebration they are now sharing—free from all earthly limitations.

The impact Leila had on those who knew her was profound. Though she never spoke a single word, she taught others about kindness, compassion, and unconditional love. She even graced the stage as a townsperson in the Oakfield High School/Middle School production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Due to her health needs, she was educated at home, where Mrs. Karen Moehn played an instrumental role in her learning throughout her entire life. We are deeply grateful for all she gave to Leila.

Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A Celebration of Life for Leila will be held on Saturday, May 16 at Community Church at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Ken Nabi and Pastor Adam Utecht officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Leila was such a bright light, please wear bright colors in her honor.

She ran her race with grace—she is now dancing and singing in heaven, whole and free, in the presence of her Savior.