Hailee Rose Reilly

Hailee was born in Lansing, MI 9/27/1994 to Michael J. Reilly, Jr. (“Mick”) & Tandy Gayle Bidinger. She joined older siblings Kyle Pentecost, Taryn, Devinne, & Breanna Reilly. She grew up in Okemos during early childhood and attended Okemos Public Schools. She also lived in Haslett and Lansing.

She was a Daisy Scout and Brownie and her dad was the leader of her Daisy Scout troop. Family activities such as camping, swimming, and visits with grandparents kept her busy. She loved spending time with Grandma Ronnie at her farm in Deckerville. She also had fun at Grandpa Mike’s cabin in Gaylord; with Grandma Marilyn in Royal Oak).Grandpa Bernie would also visit taking us out for ice cream or lunch.

Born in the fall, Autumn was her favorite season and Halloween one of her favorite holidays. She had many friends including Raven & Leslie, who she lived close to and went to school with. She began band at Chippewa Middle School and played the flute & piccolo. She continued with band at Okemos High School, and was in the Marching and Concert Bands. She also took German and loved the language and culture.

Colin, a sheltie, was a gift from Grandma Ronnie and became her faithful companion for fourteen years until he passed away in August 2019. She also shared “Kitty” with her sisters but Kitty lived with Hailee most recently. She also had a rabbit named Lily as a child. She called her pets her children.

Hailee was a certified scuba diver and loved trips to the “River” (Port Huron) and Tobermory, Canada. She also enjoyed amusement parks and went to one almost every year, most often Michigan Adventure with Mom, sisters, and friends. She also enjoyed plays, symphony orchestra concerts, and Riverdance.

Trips to California were a favorite and she wanted to live in San Franscisco someday. Hailee also visited Aunt Julie in Denver, Colorado and enjoyed getting to spend time with her and cousin Veronica. When Uncle Dan and Aunt Donna lived in Texas, Hailee went with her dad and sisters for a trip and had fun with cousins Evelyn and Carolyn.

She graduated from Nexus Academy in June 2014. She then attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI and was in an Academic Honor Society. She had aspirations of becoming a writer and liked keeping journals. She and Taryn shared an apartment together in Lansing giving Hailee time to enjoy her baby nephew Ronan. She adored him and was proud to be one of his godmothers.

Most recently, she lived with her mom in Haslett and they enjoyed going out to eat, trips to the movies and watching reality shows together like the Bachelor/ Bachelorette. Hailee’s favorite job was working at a local movie theater.

Hailee Rose is survived by her Mom: Tandy Bidinger, brother: Kyle Pentecost (Stacy Schaefer), sisters: Taryn & Breanna Reilly; Nephew and Godson, Ronan Shane Reilly; Grandparents Michael Reilly Sr. (Karen), Marilyn Bidinger, & Bernard Bidinger; Aunts & Uncles: Patrick (Julie) Reilly, Daniel (Donna) Reilly, Julie M. Reilly. Cousins: Destiny Bidinger, Conor, Kaitlyn, Evelyn, & Carolyn Reilly; and Veronica Grace. Close friends: Jacob Jones and Raven Violet and many other friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her father Mick Reilly, sister Devinne Reilly, Grandmother Veronica Maher, Great-Aunts Catherine & Mary Jo Maher, Uncle Mike Bidinger, close friend Ryan Petrie, & her pup Colin Reilly.

Visitation at Gorsline Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing, Thursday, Jan. 30 from 5 p.m. until funeral service at 8 p.m.

Committal service at Glendale Cemetery, 2500 Mt. Hope Rd., Okemos, Friday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Reilly family.