Haley Franco

Beneath her contagious smile and bubbly, upbeat personality, Haley Franco had a wisdom and depth of understanding rarely seen in one so young. This can be seen from her favorite quote: “Life is too short – grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change.” Although Haley’s life was cut tragically short, loved ones may draw comfort from the knowledge that she lived life to the fullest, without regrets. Her philosophy could be summed up in three words: Live, Laugh, and Love. Haley’s vibrant enthusiasm, unfailing kindness, and true happiness will live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives she touched; she was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed.

The 1990s were a decade of prosperity and unprecedented technological advancement for the United States, with new media forms such as the Internet and cable television changing the day-to-day lives of many Americans. Haley was born in the beginning of this exciting decade, on September 1, 1992, and shared her birth year with the invention of DNA fingerprinting, the construction of the Mall of America, and the release of Microsoft Works.

Haley’s proud parents, Michelle Franco and Robert P. Geekie Jr., welcomed their beautiful baby girl into the world of Kankakee, Illinois. As a young girl, some of Haley’s favorite activities were playing tea party, lunch box parties at Mimi and Pops’, opening Christmas presents, and playing with American Girl Dolls (BoJessa’s Cabbage Patch Doll was on her black list, however). Haley also loved spending time with her extended family, and made many happy memories climbing trees at her grandparents’ farm and making sugar cookies with her brothers and cousins. The 4th of July was always an exciting day when she was with family and friends at Nana and Grandpa's watching fireworks on the river.

The years sped by, and before she knew it Haley had grown into an upbeat and vivacious teenager. She enjoyed being active, and participated in dance, soccer, and basketball at the YMCA. Even though there were some bumps and bruises along the way, Haley pulled through like a trooper – she broke her arm on no less than three separate occasions, and smiled through each break. In her free time, Haley loved singing, dancing, shopping, and riding the mini quad. The only girl racing mini quads, Haley nevertheless “won 3 races!” Haley always made friends easily. She enjoyed music sung by her favorite artists; Rhianna, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Blake Sheldon and Luke Bryan had a special place in her heart.

One of the most exciting trips of Haley’s life was a special vacation to Longboat Key, Florida. Haley loved everything about the trip, from the “Jamaican Me Crazy” store and bodysurfing on her Betty Boop Boogie Board to swimming, texting, smiling, and laughing. The greatest day of Haley’s life, however, was the day she got her driver’s license and her first car, “Green Meany.”

Family was an incredibly important part of Haley’s life, and she was never happier than when surrounded by her immediate and extended family. She was great at taking care of kids, and loved playing with, entertaining, and caring for her nephew, Levi, and her niece, Kenadie. She was also close to her cousins, and enjoyed Easter Egg hunts, Christmas gatherings, and pumpkin painting with the whole clan. Each year, Haley, her grandma, and cousins Jenessa and Gina went to look at Christmas trees together, followed by a lunch out with Grandma. At family reunions at “Fish-n-Fun” in Illinois, Haley loved the piñata, the slide, and swimming with all her cousins. Last but least, Haley’s family was completed by Jacks, a dog she rescued from the roadside and who quickly became her favorite pet in the whole world.

Positive and upbeat, bubbly and cheerful, Haley was a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Haley Michelle Franco passed away on July 15, 2013, at the age of 20. Haley’s family includes her mother, Shelly Franco of Kankakee, IL; her father, Robert P. Geekie, Jr. of Kankakee, IL; her brothers, Rob Franco and Joe J. Franco (fiance, Ariel White), Her nephew, Levi Franco, her niece Kenadie all of Kankakee, IL; her grandparents, Joe and Mary Franco of Kankakee, IL and Bob & Rochelle Geekie of Kankakee, I; her uncles, Scott and Linda Franco and their children, Jenessa and Gina Franco of Kankakee, IL, Joe and Jacqui Franco and their children, Joe, Jack, and Jacob Franco of Burridge, IL, and Ron and Pam Charles and their children, John and Lauren Charles of Kankakee, IL; her aunts, Julie Weindling of Manhattan, NY, and Gayle and Jim Anthony of Chicago; and her half siblings, Samantha, Ashley, Emily and James.