Hailey Ann Russo died peacefully in the arms of her mom and dad on Thursday, December 26th, 2019 In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Masonic Children’s Hospital.

Hailey was born on September 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN to parents David and Emily Russo. She was born 14 weeks premature because of pregnancy complications. She was immediately admitted to the NICU and was ‘tiny but mighty’ (quoted by her doctor) in her first 6ish weeks of her life moving to cpap after just 10 days. At 6 days old she had ileostomy surgery because she had a blockage in her lower intestines. At 1 month old, she had a heart procedure to close the PDA in her heart and did amazing. However a couple weeks later, she ended up having to be intubated again and started to have many more respiratory complications throughout the next couple of months. Knowing that she had Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) and AV Canal heart defect added to these complications, but additional genetic testing was done to try to get a better picture of what was going on. (results are still pending) She was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ on Monday, December 23, 2019 by Pastor Barry Schafer at the Masonic Children’s Hospital.
During her short 101 days, she touched many lives and was deeply loved by everyone who met her. She fought so hard, but her tiny little body just couldn’t fight anymore.

Hailey is survived by her parents Dave and Emily; her siblings Olivia and Charlie; her paternal grandparents Gayle Russo and Phil Russo; her maternal grandparents Dave and Pam Cramlet; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will take place at the Congregational Church UCC in Amery, WI on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 6pm with a visitation from 4-6.

Donations can be made in Hailey’s memory to Jack’s Basket, an organization celebrating babies with Down syndrome.

Last Update: Dec 31, 2019 2:05 pm CST