Josie Rader

Josie Lea Ann Rader

From the very moment her existence was known, Josie Lea Ann was loved and cherished beyond measure. Parents Matthew and Jennifer Rader dreamed of Josie and her big sister, Leila Charley (2.5) as inseparable best friends who would have adventures and share the best of memories together.

At 22 weeks gestation all the hopes and dreams for Josie came crashing down when an irregular ultrasound gave insight into what was too likely to become of Josie’s future. Specialists at Primary Children’s found that Josie had a brain malformation, heart defect, kidney defect, and was in the first percentile in growth, measuring anywhere from 3-4 weeks behind schedule. All these issues were due to an underlying genetic mutation, Trisomy 9 Mosaicism- documented in less than 150 individuals.

After a long and courageous battle, Josie’s heart took its final beat at 6 p.m on November 25th, just three and half hours before she peacefully entered the world surrounded by the love of her parents and Grandmas. While granular in nature, the 8 months spent with Josie will have a lasting impact for the rest of our lives.

Josie is survived by her parents, Matthew and Jennifer, big sister Leila; Grandparents, David and Judith Petrosky, Jina Hales; Great Grandma, Delores Petrosky; Aunts and Uncles; William and Kimberly Rader, William and Grace Petrosky, Shea Ferguson, Cousins; Kaimana, Makena, Brantley, Noah and Andrew, and countless other Great Uncles, Aunts and Second Cousins.

Josie Lea Ann Rader is named in honor of her Second Cousin; Leonard Joseph (in heaven 2008), Second Cousin; Joseph Kujawinski; Cousin, Makena Josie; Aunt, Kimberly Josie; Great Aunt, Judy Lea (in heaven 2020); Grandma, Judith Ann; Great Grandma, Elsie Ann (in heaven 2017); Great Aunt, Jo Ann; Great Aunt, Jaqueline Ann; Second Cousin, Cheryl Ann; Second Cousin; Karen Ann, Second Cousin; Jaqueline Ann, Second Cousin; Anna Rose; Mom, Jennifer Ann.

Josie Lea Ann, although we were not able to meet you in this lifetime, we await the time we can hug you, hear you and look into your eyes. If our love was enough to save you, you would have lived forever. You are forever our beautiful, wonderful, baby girl. We love you always.

Graveside services for Josie will be held on Thursday, December 2nd at 12 p.m. at the Syracuse City Cemetery with an open house to follow at the Radar residence.

Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist's Syracuse Mortuary, 869 S. 2000 W.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com