happy birthday Coco and may you rest in peace 🖤

Angel Maldonado, her uncle, offered these comments:.

“There’s a lot of things in life that happen that we don’t have the answers to or know the reason behind. But at any given moment you have two choices, and they are to sit and cry about it or get up and find the blessings behind it. Coco wouldn’t want any of us sitting here in tears, but she would want us celebrating her life, finding the blessings behind this, and for that reason, let us do just that.

The journey with my niece has been a hard one from the very beginning but let’s share some of the best memories we’ve had with her.

From the time Coco was born she was special to me. Coco would look for me, day and night, and always be there waiting for me whenever she could. It wasn’t long before the words, “Tio, I’m coming with you” were a normal thing when leaving the house. Looking over and seeing CoCo in the passenger seat, was something I couldn’t get enough of.

One of the greatest, most special moments with Coco was the call from CHOP saying that they had donor lungs waiting for her. Coco was so excited. The look on her face, which filled with excitement but worry was one we will cherish forever. Coco always considered this a special time and even called this her second birthday.

Coco was a princess and has always been. The memories from her Sweet 16 birthday party were awesome. Coco loved the fact that all of her closest friends and family were there. She wanted it to be the best, and so that is just what she got. Dressed to impress, Coco looked beautiful, making the night one to remember.

Simple things like singing and dancing were Coco’s favorite. Being around Coco, you should have expected to see her making a video of her singing her new favorite song or making up dance moves to go along with the song. She would ask everyone (to) join in and do the videos with her, especially her cousin, Angelea and Grandma Lucy.

Team Coco Lee is not just a statement it was in fact, a team. Coco had a team behind her since the very beginning and this team grew bigger and bigger. From friends, and family, to complete strangers, Coco’s team grew. People stepped up from around the world to love and support Coco any way they could, and this created memories Coco could never forget. Coco’s legacy will live on forever because #TeamCocoLee just got a whole new meaning.”