Hayleigh was born with a rare urea cycle disorder (OTC) that prevented her liver from eliminating ammonia from her blood. Once diagnosed, medication and diet could usually keep things under control. She loved music, and had a beautiful voice. She was all district choir in high school, and sang at the Grand Old Opry with the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir. She also danced, swam competitively and did aerial yoga (silks). She liked riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking hikes on the Appalachian Trail and hiking other trails, especially to waterfalls. She loved her pets but her cats were special to her. She had a great sense of humor and also always knew the right movie, song, or cartoon line to sum up a situation.
In 2018, the regimine of medicine and diet began to be less effective, and in 2019 she decided to seek the only known cure, a liver transplant. What her surgeon said would be straightforward turned out to have many post-op complications, and on November 24, 2020 she passed away of liver failure.
Not a day goes by that we don’t miss her. She is forever on our minds, and in our hearts – always.
Use the chapter locator to find out information about chapters in your area. Locate a Chapter by selecting your state and zip code.
