Haley Ann Skufca

Haley Ann Skufca June 29, 1993 - August 15, 2020 Fear immobilised me the first time I went to preschool. Due to my aphonia, my kindergarten teacher asked my mum if I was deaf. Concurrently, the parents of a girl 27 days younger than I home schooled their only living daughter, due to her severe social phobia. With that outset to her education, she surpassed the reading level of her peers. She grew up writing her own stories. Her favourite book was 1984, but she also loved the quests and lore of Geilinor. Social relationships felt contrived to us, yet she and I naturally, effortlessly, and swiftly became each other's confidant, soulmate, and dearest, favourite person. We played the newest quests on RuneScape together. I wrote her stories, letters, and poems, and always, she read them thoroughly and gave me her considerate feedback. She took great care in her appearance and makeup. Many would laud or demean her for her physical appearance, their intent ranging from good to ill. From Haley's life, I learned much of sexual harassment, objectification, rape, and trauma. Yes, Haley was beautiful, but not for her physical appearance alone. Haley was a perfectionist who spent hours drawing me a birthday card. She believed in social justice for people regardless of their skin colour, religion, sexuality, or gender. She put others' needs before her own. She was thoughtful, intelligent, empathetic, witty, funny, and artistic. She was a survivor. I could trust her more than anyone. For so many reasons, Haley was beautiful.