Tributes
Our beautiful angel, Sophia Kappen, earned her wings at the tender age of 6 years old, when she died in the arms of her parents, Greg and Amy, on April 5, 2017 after an intense one-year battle with cancer.
Sophia was a kindergartner at Longbranch Elementary school in Boone County, KY even though her cancer prevented her from attending this school year. Sophia loved to learn and enjoyed being read to, but she loved the social aspects of attending school more than anything. She made friends everywhere she went. Sophia wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up to make pets feel better who in turn would make people feel better.
She had many passions in life that included gymnastics, bike riding, family walks, camping, makeup and shoes. She loved to watch youtube videos to learn how to make crafts and view surprise toys. Sophia loved to help her mommy bake dishes in the kitchen as well as work on motorized vehicles with her daddy. There wasn’t anything Sophia couldn’t do if she put her mind to it.
Sophia was a fun-loving sister to her big brother, Niko, and her twin brother, Finn. Together, they were Team Kappen. Sophia had many friends, but shared a special connection with her best friend forever, Charli Grubbs. The two would swap shoes and clothes ever since a very young age. Their bond was truly magical. Sophia created memories with mermaids on her Make-A-Wish trip, including swimming with a mermaid tail after losing the ability to walk during her battle with cancer.
Sophia was a princess warrior who touched many lives throughout her journey and raised awareness for pediatric cancer throughout not only her community and school, but across the nation. Sophia was a true pioneer in numerous cancer treatments and warmed the hearts of many nurses and doctors along the way.
Sophia is survived by her parents, Greg and Amy Kappen and her two brothers, Niko and Finn, of Florence, KY. Her grandparents, Ferdinand and Walburga Kappen of Edgewood, KY, Patricia Plamondon of Windsor Locks, CT and John and Barbara Plamondon of Crane Lakes, FL. Her aunts and uncles, Sandy and Dave Shamblin of Fort Wright, KY, John Plamondon of West Hartford, CT and Lori and Brandon Calavan of Windsor, CT. Sophia had an incredible bond with her cousins Noah and Aidan Plamondon and Brooke and Caroline Calavan. Sophia is also survived by many great uncles, aunts, cousins and friends who all loved her.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Sophia’s life at First Church of Christ located at 6080 Camp Ernst Rd, Burlington, KY 41005 on Monday, April 10th at 11:00 AM. Visitation hours will be Sunday, April 9th from 1:00-5:00 PM also at First Church of Christ. Sophia requested not to wear traditional black, but instead to wear colors to celebrate her joy of life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering a donation to one of the following:
- the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Dept of Oncology Research, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229,
- Leukemia Lymphoma Society http://pages.lightthenight.org/soh/Cinci17/shineforsophia
or - Make-A-Wish Foundation http://wish.org/ways-to-help
First Church of Christ
6080 Camp Ernst Rd.Burlington, KY 41005
Phone: 859-586-4673
First Church of Christ
6080 Camp Ernst Rd.Burlington, KY 41005
Phone: 859-586-4673
Sophia Kappen
Address: ,Sophia Kappen
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