Cyndi Loza

The Schiff family of Glen Ellyn is remembering their daughter who died in her sleep Saturday by starting a foundation in her name to help children with special needs.

On Friday, 5-year-old Avery Schiff was put to bed at her regular bedtime around 9 p.m., said her mother Elissa Schiff. She heard Avery stir a bit at about 11:15 p.m., but wasn’t alarmed, she said.

When Elissa Schiff checked on her daughter Saturday morning, she said she thought Avery was sleeping.

“But something just wasn’t right with me,” Elissa Schiff said. “I went back 10 minutes later, and I touched her and she just wasn’t there.”

It has yet to be determined what caused Avery’s sudden death, but Elissa Schiff said her daughter was born with a heart condition and had special needs.

“Everyone that knew her fell in love with her because she was very affectionate and special,” Elissa Schiff said.

To honor Avery’s memory, the Schiff family has started The Avery Schiff Foundation to raise money and awareness for special-needs children and their families.

Though Avery had only recently begun to talk, her caring personality was easily communicated, said Nolan Schiff, Avery’s father.

“Everyone knew what she was saying and doing just by how caring she was,” he said.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today, with a funeral service at 5 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton.

A memorial for Avery will be held on Saturday, April 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Schiff home on 727 Western Ave., Glen Ellyn.

How to help

Donations can be made to The Avery Schiff Foundation, care of DuPage Community Foundation, 104 E. Roosevelt Road, Suite 204, Wheaton.