Summer Anna Callan March 25, 2015 - June 7, 2023

Summer Anna Callan was born in Mesa, AZ to Todd and Kara Callan on March 25, 2015, weighing in at 5lbs 5oz with a full head of strawberry blonde hair. Summer was a pure light to this world, bringing many together in love, hope and faith. She lived a truly unique life as she was faced with many serious health challenges. As an infant she suffered a perinatal stroke just days after birth. Shortly thereafter she developed an unknown auto-inflammatory condition that attacked her lungs, causing a rare lung disease. Summer underwent many procedures and surgeries including a tracheostomy and feeding tube placement that stayed with her for the remainder of her life.

Even with all that stacked against her, Summer’s will to live was so strong, and even though Doctors gave her grim diagnoses time and time again, she proved them wrong. In her early years she stayed in the hospital for 18 months between Cardon Children’s in Mesa, Cincinnati Children’s, and Children’s of Minnesota. When she finally came home from the hospital in Minnesota in October 2016, she thrived for many years as she received multiple therapies in the home, including in-home nursing. Summer scared away many nurses with her sassy personality but a few good ones stuck around and turned into life long friends.

In July 2021, Summer’s family decided to relocate to Salem Utah where they traveled often as a family, going to Mount Rushmore, Disney World in Florida, the Oregon coast, Kolob and Bryce Canyon, Jackson Hole, the Tetons, and San Diego. She even had plans to go to the Grand Canyon and Bears Ears this Summer. Despite her significant health issues, Summer saw much of the world in her 8 short years. Being connected to a ventilator didn’t stop her from going to amusement parks, lakes, national parks, festivals, on hikes, movies, musicals, an aquarium, a wedding, her big sister’s dance recital, the zoo, and even the beach.

Unfortunately Summer’s health started to decline in January 2022 and for the next 17 months she spent over 150 days in the hospital. On May 31, 2023 Summer went into the hospital for the last time due to a blood infection that turned into septic shock. Tragically and unexpectedly she suffered a brain bleed that was inoperable, leaving her family devastated. On June 2nd, her parents took her home under hospice care where she was held, kissed, and loved on for 5 days. On the morning of June 7, 2023 Summer passed away in the arms of her parents and big sister Phoebe.

Summer was an incredibly strong and beautiful little girl that left an imprint in the lives of everyone she met. She will forever be remembered for her uniqueness, determination, and fierce personality.

Summer is survived by her Mom, Kara Rae (Ficklin), Dad, Todd Christian, big sister, Phoebe LaRae, and puppy Miya. Also her Grandparents Paul and Kristie Callan of Farmington UT, and Terry and LeAnn Ficklin of Salem UT.

To learn more about Summer and her incredible journey, visit her public Facebook page at “Hope For Summer.”

The family will be holding a special “Celebration of Life” for Summer on Saturday, June 24th at the Hale Center Theater in Sandy, UT in the Legacy room at 1:30pm. It will also be available to watch via Zoom.

In lieu of flowers the family’s wish is for people to donate to or prepare a meal for their local Ronald McDonald House (RMH). The RMH blessed the Callan’s time and time again through Summer’s journey.

If you would like to donate to the family directly, you can do so at https://gofund.me/039332ca or Venmo @Kara-Callan.

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