Kailey A. Morris

Kailey Anna Morris, beloved daughter, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was 19 years old, two months shy of her 20th birthday, following a courageous five-week battle after a sudden cardiac arrest.

Born on May 11, 2006, in Ann Arbor at U-M Mott Children’s Hospital to Timothy and Kathleen (Hegyan) Morris, Kailey arrived three weeks early while facing known congenital heart defects and other health challenges. From the beginning, she showed remarkable determination, never allowing her conditions to limit her. Academically driven and a true overachiever, she consistently earned places on the principal’s and dean’s lists, maintained a 4.0-plus GPA while taking advanced placement classes, became a certified nurse assistant, and assisted in teaching a kindergarten class at Roosevelt Elementary School during her senior year. Most recently, she was accepted into the College of Education at Saginaw Valley State University, taking a meaningful step toward her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.

Kailey’s gentle and compassionate spirit shone through her deep love for children. She generously volunteered with First Church of God’s teaching ministries, including Little Kidzone and Vacation Bible School, completed a 15-week internship with Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists at Corewell Health Rehabilitation Royalton, and gave her time to Sensory Camps for children with special needs. Her faith was central to her life; she cherished attending church and youth groups both at home and on the SVSU campus.

She found joy in reading, watching rom-coms, dramatic and crime movies, the musical Hamilton, listening to Harry Styles and country music, attending rodeos, hockey and football games, and working out. Kailey loved to bake, had a special fondness for monkeys, mac-and-cheese, ranch dressing, Baja Blast, Diet Dr. Pepper, and ice cream, and adored her cat, Anastasia. Outgoing and warm, she built many lasting friendships, enjoyed fashion, drove her beloved black Kia Soul nicknamed Ms. Keisha, and treasured holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. For several years she worked alongside her sisters at Tosi’s Restaurant, where the staff became like a second family.

Kailey is survived by her parents, Tim and Kathy Morris; sisters, Grace Morris and Abigail “Abby” Morris; maternal grandmother, Shirley (Popp) Hegyan; paternal grandmother, Evelyn (Isbrecht) Morris; uncle, John Bostek and aunt, Kim (Hegyan) Bostek; and many extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Gary Hegyan, and paternal grandfather, Raymond Morris.