On November 8th Chris Picco’s wife, Ashley, died unexpectantly. At the time, Ashley was pregnant with the couple’s first child. Their 2 lb., 4 oz. baby boy was delivered by emergency C-section. After the birth, Lennon was cared for at the Loma Linda University Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit.
The day before the Lennon died, Chris serenaded his tiny baby boy with the Beatles’ song, Blackbird. A friend filmed the father’s love song to his son and posted the video on social media.
Lennon James was born by emergency C-section three months early, “fighting for his life,” Chris posted. Although Chris was grieving Ashley’s loss, he thanked those who had reached out in several online postings.
“It’s impossible to sum up what has happened in the past couple of days,” he said. “My wife, best friend and mother of my child passed away. I have a lifetime to grieve this unspeakable loss, but I know that right now she would want me to focus completely on baby Lennon James Picco…”
On Wednesday, a friend posted a video of Chris in the hospital at Loma Linda University Medical Center, singing to his newborn son. The video shows Chris seated next to a whirring, clicking incubator, baby Lennon swaddled in blankets and surrounded by tubes. The video was recorded Tuesday, when Chris had posted, “Ashley would often feel Lennon moving to music, so I brought my guitar today and gave him a little concert.”
Read the full story: Memorial Planned for SoCal Mother, Infant After Heartbreaking YouTube Video Shows Grieving Husband
On November 11th, Lennon James died in his father’s arms.
Family friend and Campus Ministries Coordinator at Loma Linda University, K.C. Hohensee, created a memorial page for Ashley Picco and Lennon. The page notes that the couple met at Ground Zero in New York City following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Both were volunteers in the aftermath of the attacks. Ashley worked at the Loma Linda Children’s Center before becoming a registered nurse.
A memorial fund has been created to help defray medical expenses in Ashley’s name. Donors exceeded the initial goal of $50K with ten days remaining in the fundraising campaign. Those who would like to contribute may do so at the Ashley Picco Memorial Fund.
Read the Full Story: Chris Picco loses wife and son only days apart
