April Joy Reed

April was born January 14, 1993 in Alliance, NE and died unexpectedly at home with her mom by her side on May 17, 2022, in Oak Park, IL at the age of 29. She was left on the doorstep of Pastor Sam and Barbara Reed in Alliance, NE on January 16, 1993 with a note from a still unknown birth mother who gave her the name April. The note said April was loved but the mother could not care for her, and asked the Reeds' to raise her. They became her foster family because they felt she was a care package from God. On May 16 ,1994 she officially became April Joy Reed, adopted into her forever family. From a young age April had a smile that lit up the room! She loved her people and cats (Haiku, Trixie and T'Challa) fiercely. She loved food and how it brought people together. She loved being an "auntie" to humans and pets. She loved bright colors and tie dye shirts. Her sense of humor brought deep laughter to her family and friends. She lived life in all directions and loved to travel. She gained the affectionate titles of "Queen Baby" because her sisters were so much older than her and "Little Spark" because of her bright spirit.

April is survived by her parents, Sam and Barbara Reed of Oak Park, IL, adoring big sisters and their children: Leah Barnes (John), Haven and Callah of Maywood, IL, Erin Reed (Nick) and Aspen, of Kansas City, MO, Carolyn Biltoft (Marc) and Eden of Philadelphia,PA / Geneva, Switzerland. Upon her death the family is getting to meet a large "chosen family" of friends and co-workers that April touched with her generosity, enthusiasm, and loyal support. She knew how to love people. She was involved in the Chicagoland restaurant industry for over a decade and was a well-loved bartender at Mugsy's Tavern in Forest Park, IL, where upon hearing of her death, friends began to gather and remember.

One day after our yearly Adoption Day Celebration, April left us. It is our belief that she is safely with the loving God who entrusted her to us 29 years ago. We are grieving and heart-broken, but also peaceful. We are choosing to celebrate her life and her legacy of love. 

A celebration of life for April will take place on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home 7319 Madison St., Forest Park, IL -- For those who loved April there is a visitation / sharing memories from 4-6 p.m. followed by a celebration of life service lead by her family at 6:15pm. Cremated remains will be memorialized by the family at a future time. 

In Memoriam: April loved that her mother Barbara was a preschool teacher for 20 years and talked about how she wanted all kids to be able to attend Mrs. Reed’s class. Memorials in honor of April Reed may be given to the First United Nursery School Tuition Assistance Fund to help families pay for preschool: https://www.firstunitedschool.com/donate  *on the form there is a box to check that says “Tuition Assistance” with a space in comments to list In Honor of, or checks can be mailed to First United Nursery School (FUNS) 838 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301 - designate Tuition Assistance Fund with accompanying check.

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