Willow’s Story

Willow Grace

04/13/2022 – 04/11/2023

Two days short of her first birthday.

Willow Grace was the youngest of four children, adored by her sister and two brothers. A free spirit, she loved observing others and had a magical laugh, though hard to elicit. She loved to hear herself scream and shriek, practicing for when she would one day use her voice to speak. Willow gave the BIGGEST hugs and messy, open-mouth kisses. Willow spent most of her day chasing down things to eat, some of which she wasn’t supposed to, like the dog food and her mom’s plants. She never would give up though, not even after her mom moved them countless times.

Willow loved being outside. Starting as a newborn if she was upset, nothing would calm her like being outside. She and her mom spent hours swinging on their back patio. Willow had two dogs, pugs, whom she couldn’t stand. It was actually very cute how upset she would get if they came near her. She would flap her arms and swing them at the dogs until they were far enough away that she no longer cared. Willow was the boss of those dogs.

Willow was nearing her first birthday and took her first steps the day she was taken from the world. She was going to spend the weekend at the beach, playing in the sand and splashing all the water. Willow loved to splash. She had a few little teeth which she used to beam her mischievous little smile, winning her mom over every time. She knew few words but found other ways to communicate. Her personality was apparent; she knew what she wanted and never gave up easily. Her strawberry-blonde hair was growing, but she wasn’t one to wear bows or brush it—wild and free like a majestic weeping willow tree. She had the most vibrant blue eyes that were so big and wide that they would constantly capture the attention of strangers, admiring them. Willow was curious, fearless, and so loving. Willow was special, in the most remarkable way.

Willow Grace was murdered by her father. Willow, her mother, and her siblings were involved in a heinous attack on April 10, 2023. They were safe at her mother’s home, preparing for bed, when her father arrived at the home. Willow’s parents had finalized their high-conflict divorce four months prior. Willow’s mother was shot 5 times, including in the face, trying to save her babies from their violent attacker. Once her mother could no longer fight, her father found Willow and her 2-year-old sister and stabbed them both multiple times in the abdomen, leaving them disemboweled. The two brothers were able to escape the home through broken windows, remaining physically unharmed. Willow was rushed to a nearby hospital but died of cardiac arrest 6 hours later. Her mother and sister barely survived.

After the attack, Willow’s mother began fiercely advocating for other victims, identifying gaps in the system that had failed her. She created The Willow Grace Foundation to support existing institutions and provide victims with hard-to-attain resources. Through education, advocacy, and community power, Willow’s legacy aims to save lives, even after losing her own.

If Willow had been given the chance to grow up, there is no doubt that she would have had a profound impact on those around her, possibly even the world. The way she carried on unapologetically in her pursuit to achieve what she wanted showed that she had the foundational markers of a strong leader. Her unwavering love for her family indicated that she had more love to give than she was given time for. In her death, Willow has impacted people globally, increasing the awareness of domestic violence and bringing hope that someday people will feel safe in their own homes. At just 11-months-old Willow Grace became a hero within her family, her community, and to anyone affected by domestic violence.

 Our Hummingbird logo - Hummingbirds are often seen as messengers of joy, love, and good fortune. In Native American traditions, hummingbirds are believed to carry the wishes of the people to the spirit world. Hummingbirds may also be a sign that someone has made it to the other side. Our Hummingbird flies among the branches of a willow tree, in loving memory of our Willow, reminding us of our mission.