Hailey Lynn Ponte

Miss Hailey Lynn Ponte was born on December 19, 1997 in Petaluma, California.  Loving daughter survived by her parents Tracy and Edward Ponte, her brother Edward Ponte, J.R., grandmother Lucy Fields, aunt Andrea Fields-Gonzales (Charlie Prowse), her love of 3 years Matthew Vosseler, extended family and friends that she loved so dearly.   Preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Adelaide and Joseph Ponte, Jr., Roger Fields, great grandparents Roberta Ulrich Morton, Evelyn and Walter Holminski and cousin Trevor Holminski.

Hailey was proud to have been the fourth generation on the Ponte Family Ranch in Two Rock Valley, Petaluma, California where she grew up loving farm life and animals of absolutely every kind.

She began as a mini member of Golden Hills 4-H at the early age of 5 raising and showing poultry and market lambs.  She later became active in FFA where she had raised and shown market steers.   She took an active role in community service all of her life, through 4-H, FFA and independently on her own.

She was an active and dedicated volunteer at Sonoma County Wild Life Center, Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, COTS homeless shelter, Victorian Manor Rest Home, Redwood Food Bank and more.

Particularly fond of horses from the tiny age of 2, she was an active member of The Petaluma Junior Riders Equestrian Drill Team for 7 years, Color Guard Team for 2.  She served as captain on both.  These kids were champions in the saddle and in life.  She enjoyed ranch sorting, western pleasure and showmanship.  She loved a play day and the opportunity to goof off on horseback with all of her friends.   She had a need for speed and loved making a run on barrels and poles.  She cherished her two horses Roger and Bubba.

She was very proud of her Portuguese heritage and followed several generations before her taking part in the time-honored traditions of the Holy Ghost Societies serving as junior queen of Novato IDESI and senior queen of Sausalito IDESST, and Saint Isabel.

Following in the footsteps of grandpa Joe, daddy Ed and brother J.R. she was passionate about tractors equipment, engines and trucks of all kinds. From the peddle pulls as a toddler to tractors of every make and model wheel tractors, pullers, backhoes, crawlers, high tracks, wide gages and even on up to the Cat Challenger.  She would never hesitate to jump up and run one.  She was active with both EDGE & TA Branch 31 and ACMOC Chapter 5.

A true tom-boy at heart she always enjoyed fishing like grandpa Roger and hunting like grandpa Joe with her dog Bear Bear in tow.

She attended Laguna Elementary School in Chileno Valley for primary grades and Wilson Elementary for upper grades then on to Petaluma Junior and Petaluma Senior High. She was an above average student and loved school from a young age.

She was a successful young entrepreneur.  She and J.R. proudly sold their farm fresh chicken eggs for years.  She started her very own Hailey's Farm Sitting business in 3rd grade and continued to care for many farm families until the end of her life.

She enjoyed seasonal work each year at the local pumpkin patch and Reindeer Ridge Christmas tree farm where she worked in the petting farm and drove the tractor rides to help many families celebrate the holidays.

Not all knew, that she had the voice of an angel.  She absolutely loved music and movies of every kind.  She could hit the high notes and hold them.  One true high light as part of the PJHS choir was singing the National Anthem at AT&T park.  She was one of the soloists and was excited to also perform at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University with PHS chamber choir.

Upon graduating high school, she worked as a veterinary assistant most recently at Petcare in Santa Rosa where she loved all of the amazingly special animals, their owners and absolutely adored her work family in Internal Medicine.

Hailey made friends where ever she went.  She loved them all from the tiniest to the most senior.  Never was there a more loyal friend.   She was fondly known to some as Blondie or Peanut.  If you were friends with Hailey you always knew she had your back.  She worked hard as our Birthday and Holiday Fairy to her joy and to all who knew her, going out of her way to make a fuss and letting you know how much you mattered on your special day.

She had a glorious energy for life and an unwavering sense of humor.  She was truly hilarious, joyous, remarkably quick witted, sarcastic beyond words and perpetually sassy all to our joy.

Please join us for a Hailey Day celebrating her full life beginning with 10:00 am Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, followed by a memorial parade to Petaluma Riding and Driving Club for her special cowgirl tribute and pizza party.

We ask that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to any of the following organizations that she personally has been actively a part of:  Petaluma Junior Riders, Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Program, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, Golden Hills 4-H, Petaluma FFA.   Hailey does not come from a wealthy family so if not monetary, the gift of your time in her honor is even more incredibly meaningful.

Hailey will remain forever in our hearts.

We love you Sissy.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church