In Memory of Haley Mulkey Richardson
On August 20th, our beloved Haley lost her hard-fought battle against COVID-19 at just 32 years of age, leaving behind her husband—the great love of her life—Jordan, and her daughter—the great joy of her life—Katie. Haley was shortly preceded to heaven by her daughter Ryleigh Beth, her angel yet unborn.
Anyone who has ever met Haley knows what a gift she was to this world—and what a far lesser place it will be without her. As her friends and family all knew, Haley was so easy to love, so very, very easy to love. Her spirit lit every room she ever walked into, her laugh brought a celebration to any moment, and her heart—her heart was as pure, and as kind, and as loving, and as selfless as anyone you have ever known or ever will meet again.
As great is our mourning for our lost friend, how much greater a loss for her husband, Jordan—who has just lost the world’s greatest wife, her daughter, Katie—who has just lost the world’s greatest mother, and her parents Julie and Wayne—who have just lost the world’s greatest daughter. And we all continue to mourn the loss of Ryleigh Beth, who eagerly waited two days for her mother to join her in heaven.
We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning. Through our tears, and our hugs, and our shock, we all find ourselves repeating the same things, “this isn’t right, this isn’t right, this can’t have happened to my Haley,” “God, please let Haley know how much I loved her,” and “I just feel so helpless, so helpless.”
Even in our feelings of helplessness, even without her here, we can still help take care of Haley by taking care of the family she has left behind and loved so dearly. While Jordan, Katie, and their family begin the process of navigating this different life without her, we can help by providing a safety net for a widowed father, start an education fund for Katie, and do something tangible that allows her family to grieve and make decisions without concern of finances.
If you feel helpless inside this tragedy, as we do, please consider honoring Haley and Ryleigh Beth by offering help to a family in mourning. Big or small, every single gift will give her husband and daughter one more set of options, one more layer of security, and one more step towards rebuilding a life without a wife, mother, and daughter. If you have the means to help by donation, please consider helping. If you are not able to donate, please know that your continued prayers are powerful, and that it’s ok to feel confused; that you shouldn’t shy away from bringing up a fun “Haley story” whenever it comes to mind, and to always remind her daughter Katie how much she reminds you of her mother—that she was mesmerizingly kind and beautiful and thoughtful and selfless—that she was real, and that she’s waiting for all of us just across the gap.
Above all else, please remember that if Haley were sitting next to you now, she would tell you how much she loves you, how much your happiness means to her, and remind you that “everything is going to be alright.”
Required GoFundMe information: All funds will be distributed from GoFundMe directly to Jordan Richardson to use for final arrangements, providing for the care of his daughter Katie, and any future needs they may have as a family. Jordan Denny Richardson is the direct legal beneficiary of this campaign. Jason and Kari Whatley, the organizers, are friends of Haley and Jordan Richardson.