Chloe Verni-Lau, 19, of Rockford, Illinois passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026. Chloe was born in Rockford, Illinois on November 11, 2006 to Joe Verni-Lau and Cheryl Ann Dawson. She graduated from Auburn High School in 2025 and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in urban education from the University of Illinois Chicago. Chloe was the light of her father's life, and he did everything for her while many others also contributed. Her grandparents, Gary and Barb Verni-Lau, ensured she lived a stable and enriched life while helping to provide a permanent home. Her great-uncle and aunt, Vic and Kathie Verni, took Chloe and Joe into their home at a critical time. Her second cousin, Angelina (Verni) Roberts, took her back-to-school shopping each summer and attended every school volleyball game. A close family friend, Vicki Benson, filled every gap, and was a constant presence in Chloe's life. Support came from many, and iust impossible to name them all. Chloe excelled in all that she did, from academics at Auburn High School, where she earned a scholarship to the University of Illinois Chicago, to playing varsity volleyball, to being elevated into a management position in Rockford Park District Pools. She looked after everyone in her life, and remained fiercely loyal to her father, siblings, friends and dog, Honey. Her legacy is a deep understanding of how love must turn from intention into action. This will forever endure in the hearts of all who knew her and love her still. Chloe is survived by her father, Joseph Verni-Lau; grandparents, Gary and Barbara Verni-Lau and Joe and Mary Kleczkowski; siblings, Justin Dawson (nephew Dominic Dawson), Alexis Erickson and Gracie Rose Dawson; aunts, Christina (Joe Cason) Dawson and Sheila (Matt) Erickson; uncles Jamie (Holly) Dawson, Tim (Tracey) Dawson, Daniel Dawson and Timothy (Sarah) Verni-Lau; cousins, Eleanor and Baxter Verni-Lau and many more aunts, uncles and cousins. She is preceded in death by her mother, Cheryl Ann Dawson.

Friends and family are invited to participate in a Candlelight Vigil to honor Chloe at 6:00pm on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Harkins Aquatic Center, 910 Acorn Street.

A visitation to honor Chloe's life will be held on from 2:00 – 4:00pm on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd. A celebration of life will immediately follow the visitation at the UMB Bank Pavilion,1868 Reid Farm Road, Rockford, IL 61107. The family has established a memorial in Chloe’s memory with the Rockford Park District Foundation, 401 S. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101. Send condolences and share memories at fitzgeraldfh.com