A Bench for Felix and Ruby

We’re raising funds to place a memorial bench in Gulley Park, just a short walk from our home, in honor of our beloved children, Felix Curtis Ricardo and Ruby Joyce Ricardo.

This park holds a special place in our hearts. When we were expecting Felix, and later Ruby, we dreamed of making countless memories there as a family. Those dreams were never realized, but in our grief Gulley Park has become a place of quiet connection. The walking paths, the creek, and the prairie have offered us healing when words could not, and we hope to dedicate a bench here as a place to sit, remember, and hold their memory close.

Felix was born on June 18th, 2024. The pregnancy was very complex, and at just 24 weeks, I went into premature labor. Despite the doctors’ best efforts to stop it, he was born via emergency C-section. Felix weighed just one pound and 8 ounces. He had Lane’s sweet nose and the tiniest fingers and toes we’ve ever seen. The NICU team worked tirelessly, but his lungs were too underdeveloped. He passed in Lane’s arms, surrounded by love. Since then, butterflies and music often feel like little whispers from him.

A few months later, we were overjoyed and cautiously hopeful to be pregnant with Ruby, who was born on June 3rd, 2025. The pregnancy was healthy and radiant. She brought light back into our world. During labor Ruby’s heart tones became erratic, and we were rushed to an emergency C-section. It was then doctors discovered my uterus had catastrophically ruptured. Despite their efforts, Ruby passed during delivery and could not be resuscitated. Ruby was a beautiful and strong baby, with little curls and the sweetest face, a perfect blend of both of us. We feel her presence in every blooming flower and in our garden.

This bench will be a small place of peace in the world to remember them. A place for us, and for anyone who wants to sit with the memory of two children who are deeply loved.

We are hoping for a fall installation, and plan to hold a joint memorial gathering for Felix and Ruby once the bench is in place. If we receive more funds than needed for the bench itself, any extra contributions will go toward this service, a space to honor their lives with beauty, community, and love.

If you feel moved to contribute, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

With love and gratitude,

Katie & Lane