Sophia Isabelle Weiland

The world welcomed a bright blue-eyed baby girl named Sophia Isabelle Weiland late in the evening of May 25, 2007. From the moment she made her epic entrance, Sophia – affectionately known as Sophie Belle – radiated her own light. A light that would fill the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her, and of course, love her. She was, and always will be, a precious gift to her parents, April Cottrell and Blake Weiland.

Little Sophie had sweet golden curls that danced in the sunlight, and a smile that could both warm hearts & win favor. She grew up surrounded by a loving family that cherished every moment with her. Her surviving family will carry her memory forward and continue loving her as long as time allows: beloved sisters; Kandyce Cottrell-Parker and Emersyn “Emmy” Weiland, both of Normal; paternal grandparents, Michael & Paula Weiland, Normal; maternal grandfather, Frank Cottrell, Bloomington; maternal grandmother, Keli (Robert) Reeser, Bloomington; paternal great-grandfather, Paul Segobiano, Bloomington and maternal great-grandmothers, Sandra Mitchell, Morton and Jane Connor-Hill, Bloomington. Also surviving are aunts; Corinne (Jeff Raines) Cottrell, Normal and Kristin (Neil) Jordan, Bloomington and uncle; Ben Cottrell, Brewster, WA; cousins, Lexi & Austin Jordan, Hayden Blackburn – with whom she shared a close, sister-like bond, Hensley & Breckyn Raines plus a host of other cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.

Sophie brought a sense of wild, and humor to her sweet sisters, Kandyce and Emmy. These three sisters share a special bond, and each day was filled with laughter, love, and a touch of mischief. Interactions that began with dolls, made up games, dress-up, choreographed dances, summer days in the sprinkler, playing in piles of leaves in the fall, and building snowmen in the winter, evolved into practicing softball together, laying in the sunshine to tan on a hot summer day, discussing the happenings of their lives at the kitchen table together, borrowing clothes and makeup, sharing TikToks, and trips to Starbucks all the while having each other’s backs like only a sister can.

Sophie was a child who saw the world not just as it was, but as it could be. She poured her imagination into every project — Sophie didn’t just make things; she infused them with her love and creativity turning ordinary objects into tokens of her affection. What began with notes, pictures, and stories created by her own tiny hands, became baked goods, home-cooked meals, paintings, candles, fairy gardens, cards, and scrapbooks as she grew older. All the while, Sophie’s bright blue eyes would beam with the joy of giving. These sweet, thoughtful gifts are now our family treasures.

Sophia's love for laughter and fun was evident in her playful nature. She was a little goofball who delighted in making others laugh. When she was a young child, this was through funny faces, costumes, and just plain marching to the beat of her own drum. Her humor and silliness evolved into roasting and riffing off her family and friends until they were all cackling. She had a unique way of turning even the most mundane moments into something special and finding a way to make it fun.

Beneath her playful exterior lay a spirit of determination, curiosity, courage and desire for all things to be both equal and fair. When Sophie had an idea, she pursued it with all of her heart, convincing those around her that she was right, her idea was good, and to follow along. It was this tenacity that made her a wonderful teammate on the softball field for both BNGSA and Chiddix Junior High teams. She played with a passion and desire to constantly improve. She pursued her learning in school in this same way. She currently attended Normal Community High School as a Senior, class of 2025. She had dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher as she had been inspired by those she learned from while at Fairview Elementary School as a young girl.

Sophia enjoyed experiencing the magic of Disney World, the serenity of a beach and the ocean, watching a good scary movie with her Dad, helping her Mom cook and bake, discovering new things in big cities like Chicago, St. Louis and beyond. She had a deep appreciation for a variety of music and artists, loved watching reality TV shows, and laughing with her sisters and friends. She had a beautiful way of balancing her love for nature and the finer things in life — lake days, flowers, scenic drives, campouts and enjoying beautiful sunsets — but not without her favorite Mango Dragon Fruit refresher from Starbucks.

Sophia’s affection for her dogs was a testament to her loving nature; with Luna at her dad’s house, and Beatrice and Winston at her mom’s, she was never without them. She loved all of her dogs, but Winston, her miniature dachshund, had won her heart completely. They will all miss her throwing toys for a game of fetch, her homemade dog treats, and walks around the neighborhood; but Winston will especially miss his special girl and her sweet snuggles.

As she navigated the complexities of adolescence, our beautiful Sophie remained true to her passions and grounded in her love for her family and friends. Her spirit, though young, was wise and unwavering, and she faced each day with the same courage and creativity that had defined her from the start.

As the afternoon sunlight began to soften on August 19, 2024, Sophie’s bright and beautiful journey came to an unexpected and heartbreaking end. The sky seemed to dim, as if the world itself felt the loss of her radiant light. Sophia, who had filled many lives with laughter and so much love, left behind a legacy that will forever echo in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Just as the world had once paused to celebrate her arrival, it now pauses to mourn her departure, and those who knew and loved her are holding tightly to the deep connections she so freely shared with us.

Though Sophia Isabelle Weiland is no longer physically with us in this lifetime, the laughter, love, and fierce spirit that was Sophie will continue to glow brightly in our hearts and minds. When you watch the sun come up and sunbeams radiate, that’s our Sophie. When you see a cotton candy sunset that is beautifully painted across nature’s landscapes, that’s our Sophie. When one star is shining a bit brighter at night, that’s our Sophie.

In the days following her passing, plans were made to honor Sophia's memory in a way that reflected the love and light she brought into the world. On Monday, August 26, friends and family will gather at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home in Bloomington from 4:00 – 7:00pm for a visitation, a time to remember and share stories of the joy she brought to their lives. The following day, Tuesday, August 27, 2024, beginning at 11:00am, Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington.

The family invites you to wear pink at her services in memory of our beautiful girl, and kindly asks that you remind your family, friends and those close to you how much you love them at every opportunity you have.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be used in Sophia’s memory in the future.