Adelaide Emma Geleynse

Adelaide Emma Geleynse died on Monday, Oct. 30, aged five months, of pulmonary hypertension. 

Born to Jesse Geleynse and Briana Wipf, Adelaide was eleven weeks early on May 16, 2023, but made her personality felt immediately. Nurses called her “feisty,” “opinionated,” and “sassy.” The day she was born, she held onto her parents’ fingers with her tiny hands, showing signs of the strength that continually surprised her caregivers.

Briana’s pregnancy was difficult, and doctors advised her and Jesse that Adelaide was experiencing intrauterine growth restriction and would likely be stillborn. Against odds, however, Adelaide continued growing, and at birth weighed one pound. Adelaide continued to surprise her doctors, growing slowly and steadily, and clearing hurdles, including growing big enough for a PICC line, going off IV fluids, beginning intermittent feeds, moving to an open crib and wearing clothes, and stepping down the levels of respiratory support she needed. Briana, Jesse, and Adelaide’s family celebrated these milestones, and her parents always reminded her they were proud of her when they left the NICU for the day. 

Adelaide enjoyed reading books; listening to Briana read her academic articles or Pittsburgh Pirates gamers; watching Mariners baseball games and Seahawks and Washington State Cougars football games with Jesse; breaking free from the extra tight swaddles the nurses tucked her into; and holding hands. As she grew past her due date, she began to do “normal” baby things, and she was starting to enjoy looking at brightly colored pictures and her stuffed parrot, Jabber; looking at her mobile while listening to music; grasping her rings; and being held. She was baptized on Oct. 24, at Children’s Hospital, a small ceremony the family will cherish. On the last day of her life, she got to go outside for the very first time and felt fresh air and mist on her soft, round cheeks.

Adelaide touched the lives of her care teams at UPMC-Magee Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Nurses would visit her room, commenting on her bright, knowing eyes. Adelaide enjoyed her visitors, too. She liked to be the center of attention. 

Adelaide wanted to be on this earth, and in her 168-day stay, she gave her parents the greatest joy of their lives. She fought hard through her final illness, a respiratory virus that exacerbated the pulmonary hypertension she developed due to having underdeveloped lungs. She fought until she got too tired to fight anymore, and she took the advice of her book, “Be Brave, Little One,” and decided to say she had had enough. On her last day, she experienced love from her family: she was held, listened to music, and kissed many times. During her life, she received the best care from her care teams, including dedicated nurses, advanced practice professionals, doctors, nutritionists, and developmental, speech, occupational, and physical therapists. 

Adelaide is survived by her parents, Jesse Geleynse and Briana Wipf; her dog, Roger Daltrey; her grandparents, Lisa Edmisson, Eli Wipf, Randy Edmisson, and Diana Wipf, and Greg and Lavonne Geleynse; aunt Shelly, uncle Dave, and cousin David; aunt Dana, uncle Garrett, and cousin Emmett; and numerous extended relatives. Special nurse Alaina Lisovich took care of her on her first day in the NICU and reassured Briana and Jesse, making her first weeks less scary. Adelaide also made many friends in her short life, and many people from across the United States and Canada prayed for her and offered well-wishes. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the NICU foundation of your choice. Adelaide benefitted from donated breast milk and blood; please consider donating if you are able. 

Family and Friends welcome Saturday 10:00 am - 11:00 am WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp 15220 where a blessing service will be held Saturday at 11:00 am.  Burial will be private to the family.

Little darlin’, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.

Little darlin’, it feels like years since it’s been here.

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo

Here comes the sun, and I say

It’s all right.

You can stream Adelaide's service with the following information:

Topic: Baby Adelaide Emma Geleynse
Time: Nov 4, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81288193379?pwd=dnFiaU1yRGZBWjNEWFZrcUxIblVQQT09

Meeting ID: 812 8819 3379
Passcode: 704173