Bailey E. Brickner

Bailey Elizabeth Brickner, 19, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Parkview Regional Medical Center after a short battle with meningeal melanoma brain cancer. Bailey was the daughter of Michael and Colleen (O’Grady) Brickner. Bailey’s lifelong dream was to be a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals. She worked hard in school and was a very good student, graduating from Northrop High School in 2023 and attended Purdue Fort Wayne for a semester. She loved all kinds of animals, but penguins were her favorite. Growing up, she had a variety of animals including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and more fish than can be counted. Animals were so special to her; she even stopped a kid from kicking a goose at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo where she was employed for two years. She liked to visit Disney World, Universal Studios, and as many Zoos and Aquariums as she could. One of her legacies is she hopes people remember to love animals and adopt them from shelters. After her passing, her family honored this legacy by covering the adoption fees of all the dogs at Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control waiting to be adopted. Bailey was quick witted, spunky, feisty, and strong willed. With those characteristics, you would think she wouldn’t be reserved, but she was. Well, only until she got to know you, that is. She enjoyed all kinds of music (Fall Out Boy and Taylor Swift being her favorites), reading, crocheting, baking with family, hanging out at the lake, fishing, snow skiing, and riding the wave runner. She liked the Fort Wayne Komets, Purdue Boilermakers, and stuffed animals. Bailey could light up a room! Her bright, shining spirit will be missed by everyone who knew her. Bailey is survived by her Mother, Colleen Brickner (partner Josh); Father, Michael Brickner (wife Taia); Brother, Ryan Brickner (wife Zoe); Grandparents, John and Joan Brickner; Oma, Yvonne McComb; Sister-Cousins, Nicole Mueller (husband Danny), Chelsea Linne, Paige Herman (partner Grant), and Amanda Moody; Aunt, Stacy Moody; Aunt, Theresa Weaver (husband Ryan), Uncle, Charles Brickner (wife Brooke); Aunt, Stacy Burgan; honorary Brother, Kevin Belcher; and her loving boyfriend of two years, Logan Cameron. She was preceded in death by her Grandfather, Brian O’Grady; Uncle, Brandon O’Grady; Uncle Jeff Burgan; Opa, Dennis McComb, and Nephew, Finley Brickner. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at St. Charles Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46815 preceded by a viewing at the church at 9:30 AM with Father Thomas Shoemaker officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Hockemeyer and Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46835. The last hour of visitation on Tuesday will be a special time for friends and family to listen to music, share stories, and read poems to honor and remember the life of Bailey. Condolences and memories may be left online at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com