Anchorage resident Bailey Ruth Gillis, 18, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, July 14, 2014.

A celebration of Bailey’s life was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at the Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N Street in Anchorage, with a reception following.

Bailey was born Sept. 30, 1995, to Vern and Karen Gillis in Anchorage. She was born with congenital cytomegalovirus, a burden shared by too many.  

“Bailey was a gift to everyone who looked into those beautiful blue eyes. When Bailey put her arms around our necks, she used every tiny muscle to hold on as tight as she could. She loved swinging, swimming, skiing, flashy lights, horses, and everyone who took the time to see her for the precious little girl that she was inside of that obstacle of a body she lived in,” her family said.

Bailey is survived by her parents, Vern and Karen Gillis; brother, Jordan Jackson; and sister, Reagan Gillis. She also was blessed by a large extended family in Homer and elsewhere, some who are related by blood “and so many others who are embraced by Bailey’s loving spirit,” her family said.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations to Stop CMV in Bailey’s memory through stopcmv.com. 

Arrangements were made by the Anchorage Funeral Home & Crematory.  Please visit Bailey’s obituary and online guestbook at www.AlaskanFuneral.com.