Hayley Elizabeth Petit

PETIT, Hayley Elizabeth Hayley Elizabeth Petit, 17, died unexpectedly and tragically on Monday (July 23, 2007). Born October 15, 1989, the daughter of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and William A. Petit, Jr. M.D., she was a June graduate of Miss Porter's School and was headed to Dartmouth College in the fall. Hayley was well known, admired, and loved for the affection and integrity she brought to all that she was, as a student, and athlete, a leader, and a friend. Throughout her high school career, Hayley was a High Honor Roll student; she was a member of Cum Laude, a journalism prize-winner, and winner of the school's award for "exceptional community service." In addition, she was admitted early to Dartmouth College. As a committed athlete, Hayley was a three-season varsity player of cross country, basketball, and crew; two-season varsity captain of basketball and crew; and was elected to the all-school senior leadership position of Athletic Association Head. Within the school community, her leadership example and impact, both private and public, were profound. Hayley's leadership extended beyond the school to the larger community, in which she raised thousands of dollars in support of Multiple Sclerosis research. Hayley called no attention to herself, putting her energy into leading by example and encouraging those around her to do the same. She was honored and respected by her teachers and her coaches, for whom she gave her best; and by her class and schoolmates, both older and younger, who saw Hayley as someone they wanted to be with, as well as someone they wanted to be like. What Hayley made of the short time she had, was far greater than many who have much more. Her example is one that her friends and peers will continue to emulate in her honor, and Hayley's presence and profile in the Miss Porter's School community will endure in the memories of all who knew her. She was the beloved sister of Michaela Rose and is survived by her father, William A. Petit, Jr. M.D.; her paternal grandparents, William and Barbara Petit of Plainville; her maternal grandparents, Richard and Marybelle Hawke of Slippery Rock, PA and Venice, FL, her maternal great-grandmother, Florence Triano; her Aunt Cindy and Uncle Bill Renn and their children, Evan and Lydia; Uncle Glenn Petit, his children, Rachel and Alicia, and their children, Jacob and Molly, Aunt Kyla, Uncle Mike and Aunt Erin Petit and their children, Michael, Brooke, Tristan and Paige; Uncle Brian Petit; and Aunt Johanna and Uncle Dennis Chapman and their children, Abby and Andrew. She also leaves her great aunts and uncles, Jean McNuff, Judith Hodge, Jim Buchanan, Elnora Richards, John Hawke, Johanna and Joseph Ierna, Frank Triano, Andrea and James LaChapelle, Edward and Roberta Petit, Beverly and Larry Joyce, Sharon and Eugene Beaulieu, Gary Petit, Clara, Marilyn, Victoria, Sally, and Linda Petit, and many dear friends. We meet to pay tribute to the lives of Hayley, her sister, Michaela, and their mother, Jennifer on Saturday, July 28, at 11 a.m. at the Herbert D. Welte Auditorium on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St., Plainville, is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.bailey-funeralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hayley Petit Scholarship at Miss Porter's School, 60 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032 or "Hayley's Hope" at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater CT Chapter, 659 Tower Ave., 1st Floor, Hartford, CT 06112 or at www.ctfightsms.org.