Alyssa 'Patricia' Hartman

With what should have been so many years left in which to compose her life’s song, Alyssa ‘Patricia’ Hartman was taken from her loved ones much too soon. She was a talented young woman with endless amounts of love and compassion for others. Alyssa was vibrant with a sparkling personality that drew others to her with ease. She told the best stories and could always make us laugh, and she was never without a smile. Our lives will never be the same without Alyssa here, but her memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved her.

Known as the electronic age, the 1990s were a time that transformed the cultural fabric of our nation more than any other. The Internet became part of our language, the courtroom dramatics of the O.J. Simpson trial entertained us, and movies like Dances With Wolves and Silence of the Lambs topped ticket sales. It was during this colorful time that a couple from Chicago, Illinois, was delighted with the birth of their daughter, Alyssa, on January 3, 1994. She was welcomed into the world by her parents, Bruce and Patricia Hartman, on that cold, winter day. Alyssa, was raised in the Bradley area throughout her formative years. Her parents later divorced and both remarried, and she was blessed with five siblings, Michael, Brooke, Jeremy, Stephanie, and Nick.

In many ways Alyssa was a typical young girl. She was a student at local schools including Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School where she was actively involved. Alyssa was a talented singer who was in the school choir and also in their plays and musicals. She did a superb job as the principal in their production of High School Musical, and throughout her years as a member of the choir Alyssa took part in numerous state competitions. In fact, she was so proud to sing both at the Grand Ole Opry and also at Disney World. Alyssa made numerous friends, and she didn’t just have regular friends as once you were her friend you were best friends. She was also part of her school’s Best Buddy program. Alyssa went on to graduate just this past spring in 2012.

With a heart that was as big as the ocean, Alyssa deeply loved her family and friends. She treasured the times she and her father went out fishing on the boat together. Alyssa also enjoyed trips to Wisconsin where she loved being out in the wide open spaces of the outdoors, often riding ATVs. Her brother, Michael, was also so much more than just a brother to her as he was also one of her best friends.

There were so many things that enriched Alyssa’s life. It has been said that everything was her favorite as her overall joy in even the simplest of things was easy to see. Things like McDonald’s coffee, late night visits to IHOP and Steak ‘n Shake, and works from Edgar Allen Poe were favorites in addition to deer farm visits and the family dog, Shamus. As a music enthusiast Alyssa loved singing and the musical, Wicked, and her favorite television show was also the musically based Glee. She loved a good movie with some of her favorites being The Notebook, Lion King, and The Wizard of Oz, and she has been called a Facebook junkie. With a love for traveling Alyssa took advantage of every opportunity to see something new. Hanging out with her family and friends, even for no special reason, was by far her favorite thing to do.

With such a bright future before her, Alyssa had plans for a rewarding career as a special education teacher. She had been taking classes at Kankakee Community College where she anticipated completing her preliminary coursework before transferring to Western Illinois University.

As her friends and family can attest, Alyssa Hartman had a contagious joy for living that spilled over into everything she did. It could be argued that she could be heard a mile away as she was a very loud talker who was forever talking a mile a minute. Alyssa had an over the top personality with a smile that never faded, and she was always looking for ways that she could help others. We will miss her laughter, her stories, and her songs, but most of all we will miss her love.

Alyssa ‘Patricia’ Hartman of Bradley died on Sunday, February 3, 2013, at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital. Alyssa’s family includes her father, Bruce (Kathy) Hartman of Bradley, IL; mother, Patricia (Jeff) McHugh of Bruce, WI; three brothers, Michael Antonelli, Jeremy Norris, and Nick Norris; two sisters, Brooke McHugh and Stephanie Truesdell; grandparents, Joe (Liz) Goldsberry, Norman (Selma) Hartman, Millie Hemm, and Shirley Martz; and her best friends; Kristin Mathews and Hayley Childs. Alyssa was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Edward Hemm and Daniel White, and grandmother; Florence White. A gathering time for friends and family will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2013, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service at 8:00 p.m. at the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home’s Kankakee Chapel. Deacon Pat Skelly will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Best Buddies Program at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or sign the online guestbook.