JAYLA M. BECKFORD

     Jayla M. Beckford, 13-month-old daughter of Wayne A. Beckford, Jr. and Koryn M. Bachant passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at Henry Heywood Hospital in Gardner.

Besides her parents, she leaves a sister, Janaiyah L. Walsh of Gardner; her maternal grandparents, Seth and Nichole (Bachant) Knipe of Hubbardston; paternal grandparents, Wayne and Kathleen (Russo) Beckford, Sr. of Fitchburg; maternal great-grandparents, Marie (Valois) O’Keefe and her husband, Joseph of Warren, Bruce Bachant and his wife, Judy of Hubbardston and Marlene Huie and her husband, John of Indiana; paternal great-grandparents, Katherine Stepansky and her husband, Steve of Tewksbury and Daniel Russo and his wife, Barbara of Cape Cod; maternal great-great-grandmother, Laura Paquin of Brookfield; many uncles, aunts, cousins; and many other close relatives and her puppy, Lily.

Jayla was a fun-loving, free-spirited, and always-smiling little angel who loved to give out hugs and kisses. She loved bright colors, but her favorite was pink. She watched Bubble Guppies, Dora & Friends and Paw Patrol. Jayla touched so many during her short life. She will be sadly missed by all.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service for Jayla will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, One Bulfinch Place, 2 Floor, Boston, MA 02114.