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The Space Coast community is mourning the sudden and devastating loss of Vivianne, an eight-year-old girl whose joyful spirit, deep faith, and love for music left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
Vivianne passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve after several days of illness that her family says appeared to worsen rapidly despite multiple medical visits. Her parents, Camera and Kenga, describe a sequence of events that has left them heartbroken and searching for answers.
A Bright Light Gone Too Soon
Vivianne was known for her warmth, kindness, and infectious joy. She loved God and Jesus with her whole heart, sang gospel songs, and recently had been proudly selected to join her school choir. Music was central to her life. She adored musicals, harmonizing with her mother, and dancing through life… always turning ordinary moments into cherished memories.
“She was the kind of child who lit up a room,” family members shared. “She was social, compassionate, and happiest when she was surrounded by people she loved.”
An only child, Vivianne was the center of her parents’ world. The bond she shared with them was deep and unmistakable.
A Rapid Decline
According to her parents’ accounts, Vivianne began experiencing high fevers on Sunday, December 21. She was seen that afternoon by her pediatrician, where she tested negative for strep and flu and was told the illness appeared viral. The family says they were advised to alternate fever reducers and return if symptoms persisted.
By Tuesday evening, Vivianne’s condition had worsened. She was weak, unable to keep food or fluids down, and visibly dehydrated, her family says. Her parents took her to the emergency room, where the family says she tested positive for rhinovirus and was given medication for nausea. The family says no bloodwork was performed, and no IV fluids were administered, despite concerns expressed by her parents. She was discharged later that evening with an additional diagnosis of gastroenteritis, the family says.
The following morning, on Christmas Eve, Vivianne appeared increasingly pale and lethargic, her family says. While attempting to retrieve prescribed medications, her parents noticed her lips turning blue and her body becoming cold to the touch, the family says. They rushed her back to the hospital.
Once inside the emergency room, her condition deteriorated rapidly, her family says.
“Everything happened so fast,” her mother said. “She was there one minute and gone the next.”
Despite medical intervention, Vivianne could not be revived.
Grief, Shock, and Questions
Vivianne’s death has left her family and the community reeling. Just the week prior Vivianne asked her mother, “Do you miss your mommy?” And then proclaimed, “I hope I see her in Heaven” while looking at the clouds. Vivianne was named in honor of her maternal grandmother, who passed away 31 years earlier.
While the family says they have been told rhinovirus played a role in her illness, they say the suddenness of her passing after repeated medical visits has raised painful questions. They are patiently waiting for the autopsy results.
“This was unexpected,” her parents shared. “And we can’t help but wonder if things might have been different with earlier intervention.”
The family has emphasized that they are focused first on grieving their daughter and honoring her life, but they hope that sharing Vivianne’s story may help raise awareness and encourage careful attention to pediatric illnesses that escalate quickly.
A Community Responds
Since Vivianne’s passing, the community has rallied around her parents with prayers, messages of support, and financial contributions. A GoFundMe has been established to help cover immediate expenses and support the family as they navigate life after an unimaginable loss. The GoFundMe can be found here: https://gofund.me/1c33b647b
“Vivianne mattered,” those close to the family said. “Her life mattered. And her story deserves to be told with honesty and care.”
As the community grieves, many are remembering Vivianne for who she was… a child full of faith, laughter, music, and love.
Forever singing. Forever dancing. Forever loved.
