Brianna Eileen Bailey

Brianna Eileen Bailey, five-year-old Warrior Princess of Springfield, Virginia, passed away in the early hours of June 2, 2024, in the loving arms of her mother with her Grandma Marie by her side. Her devoted father arrived shortly after she passed, having traveled from Virginia to be with her in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Brianna battled Neuroblastoma since she was just about 3 years old with the courage and grace of someone 20 times her age and life experience. Her adoring parents, Emily McGilton and RB Bailey, were by her side every step of the way. She spent many of her days at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Ronald McDonald House of New York City, where her courage and charm won the hearts of doctors, nurses, and staff alike. Her journey was one of bravery and resilience, and her spirit touched so many lives. Brianna was universally adored by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She was smart and spunky, precious and precocious, witty and wise beyond her years. She loved princesses, rainbows and unicorns; anything pink and purple; ice cream and crab legs; yellow rice, butter noodles spicy and Lay’s potato chips; kitties and puppies of both the real and stuffed animal variety, monsters, and her family. She had a variety of catch phrases but one in particular stood out: “No hate. Just love.” Brianna espoused this principle every day of her life. Brianna celebrated her fifth birthday on May 28 at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey PA, with her parents and grandparents, Jeoff and Nancy McGilton. It was a party fit for a princess! She enjoyed Maryland Blue Crabs and a beautiful unicorn cake. The image of grandpa and granddaughter in matching silver crowns with huge smiles will live in all of our memories. Brianna's courage was truly remarkable, and her light will continue to shine brightly in our hearts. Brianna is survived by her parents, grandparents, and many cousins, three nephews, aunts and uncles, and two older brothers. She had numerous “aunties” that were born out of years of loving friendship with her mother. Her grandmother, Eileen McGilton, welcomed her in heaven with open arms, and she will be laid to rest next to her. In her far-too-short time with us, Brianna taught us valuable life lessons about courage and strength, grace and dignity, and unfiltered love and affection. Her family hopes that everyone who was touched by Brianna will carry on her memory through acts of service and kindness. Brianna’s family would like to express immense gratitude for the doctors, nurses, hospital and RMDH staff, family, friends, and community of “super moms” for their care along the way, and wishes to honor the memory of Tom Mitchell, who provided outsized love and support. She is also a proud member of New Hope Church in Lorton, VA. She loved children’s ministry and all of her friends there. She attended North Springfield Elementary School in their preschool program since age 2.5. She enjoyed INOVA outpatient services to include speech and language, occupational and physical therapies. A viewing and service will be held Monday, June 10, 2024 from 11am-2pm at Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, VA with a reception immediately following. She will be buried on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Fairfax Memorial Park at 10am.