Hayley Claire Schweda

Funeral services for Hayley Claire Schweda, 22, Lawrence, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Baldwin First United Methodist Church in Baldwin City, KS.  A burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Though Hayley’s soul left us Saturday, December 10, 2023, at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, FL, her body continued fighting to save the lives of many others until December 14th.

Hayley was born on June 15, 2001, in Lawrence, KS, the daughter of Kenneth and Jennifer (Lee) Schweda. Hayley worked as a Certified Nurses Aid (CNA) for 5 years and was loved by those for whom she cared.  Those who really knew Hayley were immediately taken in by her fearless and fun-loving nature, infectious laugh, fierce determination and loyal friendship.  Hayley was a bright light and her memory will shine in our hearts forever. 

Survivors include her mother, Jennifer Schweda; father, Kenneth Schweda; brother, Tristan Schweda; sister, Madelyn Schweda; boyfriend, Elliot Beeman; great-grandmother, Arvilla Lee; grandmother, Amelia Lee, grandmother, Helen Schweda; aunt Becky Lee; uncle, Allen (Erin) Lee; aunt, Kristi Rojas-Pilon; cousins, Emerson and Maya Lee, and Elizabeth and Frank Rojas; K-9 companion, Goose; and numerous beloved family and friends.  

Hayley was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Bruce “Grumpy” Schweda, and Michael Lee. 

The family will greet friends 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 22, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS. 

The family suggests memorials in Hayley’s name to the Richard Phillips Down Biker Fund or the Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. 

12 Condolences

  1. Ruth Lee on December 20, 2023 at 5:23 pm

    My heart is broken for all of you. Jennifer and Kenny I love you.



  2. Andy and Denise on December 20, 2023 at 6:07 pm

    Dear Jen, Maddie, Tristan and Ken our deepest condolences. Hayley Claire was a gift to all of us and now she gave the altimate gift of life to so many. We lift you all in prayer and love always.



  3. Jeannie Schnellbacher on December 20, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    Becky, Jen, Maddie, Tristan,”Granny” & Mrs. Lee – My heart breaks for your family. But every memory I have of Hayley Claire with Becky, she had a huge smile on her face and full of laughter. She would sit at Becky’s desk and draw happy faces, flowers, she would start giggling soon Maddie and Becky would join in and before long secretaries on the other side of the cubicle would look over and we were laughing so hard we couldn’t tell them anything! Becky was a fun aunt and always available for her nieces and nephews.
    Jen passed passion of taking care of others to her children, and in Hayley’s death she has given the gift of life to several others with organ donation. May we all find comfort in the gifts Hayley left to families she never even met.



  4. Leslie and Gordon Fry on December 20, 2023 at 10:00 pm

    Jen, my heart goes out to you and your family with the loss of your beautiful daughter! So many nights working in L&D together hearing so many stories about your children! The love you would share, all about your kids. Our love and prayers for peace.
    Love,



  5. Kate Holl on December 21, 2023 at 11:01 am

    Kenny Ken…. what do I say?
    Ken, Jenny, Tristan, Maddie my heart aches for you with the loss of Bear. She was a special soul and will always hold a place in my heart and life! She was a refreshing breath of air every time I saw her; funny, intuitive, brilliant and oh so sweet! She was all that and much more. I send my thoughts, my prayers, my love and anything else I am able to give to you all! Kate Holl



  6. Nellie Elbert on December 21, 2023 at 4:34 pm

    I am so sorry for the loss of sweet Hayley. Her warmth and kindness touched everyone who knew her. Many prayers



  7. Hollie Becker and family on December 22, 2023 at 12:17 am

    I don’t really have the right words to express how sincerely sorry I am for your terrible loss. Hayley Claire was a bright light. I remember meeting her with Becky and she had the most beautiful smile that really made anyone else around smile, too. My heart is with your hearts and I pray you are able to find some peace in remembering just how special of a girl Hayley was and how lucky the world was to have her!



  8. Gary Lee Wheeler on December 22, 2023 at 3:57 pm

    Sorry for your loss, Helen



  9. Jan Morey on December 22, 2023 at 8:18 pm

    Jen and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. May Hayley rest in peace.



  10. Kelsey Kelley on December 23, 2023 at 9:11 am

    Words cannot describe how much your family is hurting. I pray for your family through this difficult time. Hayley is and always will be an amazing young woman. Prayers to your family.



  11. Lora Schneider on December 23, 2023 at 11:11 am

    Jen, my heart aches for you. I know words can’t take away the pain, but please know you are surrounded by love and Hayley’s light will always shine brightly through all who loved her.



  12. Tess & Kelley Smith on December 23, 2023 at 8:59 pm

    Jen, Tristan, Maddy,

    Tess, Riley, Bailey and I send our deepest condolences. Anyone who got to spend even a little bit of time with Hayley was sure lucky.

    Jen, you are such a wonderful mother and though there are no words that will ever make any of this make sense, I hope you can find comfort in the fact that Hayley knows she has always been fiercely loved and celebrated by you. Not every child can say that about their parent, and you have always given her (and all three of your kids) that steady and enduring and pure love. Please know how loved you are too.



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