Hallie Hankinson Bratton

Hallie Hankinson Bratton, age 25, fought a courageous ten year battle with the mental illness labeled bipolar disorder. On August 6, 2018 this pernicious illness took her to a place where she could not keep fighting any longer and she ended her suffering and her life.

Hallie was born on January 13, 1993 in Cheylabinsk, Russia. At age 13 months she came to her forever home in Albuquerque to join her mothers; and big sister and partner in crime, Rachel. From her earliest days with us Hallie was uniquely and definitively herself. Though tiny, she commanded attention with the sheer force of her personality and her extraordinarily expressive, big, beautiful green eyes. She burst with joy and energy and drive. She was writing stories since she could hold a pencil and stage-managing countless plays in the living room with her sister,and her lifelong best friend, Taylor. Hallie graduated from Sandia High School in 2011 and moved to Denver in 2015. At the time of her death she was enrolled in the University of Colorado, Denver campus for the second semester of her Junior year, where she had just earned a 4.0 grade point, taking a full class load while also working full time.

Hallie is survived by her parents, Eleanor K. (“Kay”) Bratton of Albuquerque and Kay Hankinson of Philadelphia, PA and spouse, Anne Ritchings; her sister, Rachel K. Hankinson Bratton; her aunts and uncles Jean Bratton Hollowwa and Chris Hollowwa of Albuquerque; Sam and Paula Bratton of Tulsa, OK, and Hal and Donna Hankinson of Santa Fe, NM; cousins Taylor and Lauren Hollowwa of Albuquerque; Andrew Bratton and spouse, Joy Bratton of Seattle, Washington, Catherine Bratton Devan and spouse, Troy Devan of Philadelphia, Pa. and their children, Claire and James; cousins, Todd and Jenn Hankinson and Samantha and Chris Powell and their children. Hallie is also survived by her brother from another mother, Taylor Hursa-Webster, with whom she was best friends from their first day of first grade; her families-in-fact though not in law, the William B. Kelehers and Barbara and Bobby Lunsford and their children, Sam, Paul and Marina Lunsford of Atlanta,GA; best friends, Rachael Atkinson of Albuquerque, Rachel Guryevich of Silver Springs, Md., Kelsey Brown of Denver and her first friend ever, Vance Tanner of Albuquerque by way of Chelyabinsk, Russia.

It would be wrong to think of Hallie’s life following the onset of bipolar disorder as unrelentingly dark and joyless. She was an incredibly bright light even when she was in the darkness. Hallie had great times full of joy, laughter and love. She had hopes and dreams for the future. She was kind, thoughtful and generous. Hallie loved living in Denver. She loved, loved, loved her family. She loved Broadway theatre; she traveled every chance she got; hiked, camped and hosted a vlog - HB Correspondence - which offers a spot-on look into her spirit, wit, creativity and intelligence. Hallie was loved completely, deeply and widely by her family, many friends, family friends and neighbors. Though small in stature she leaves an enormous hole in our hearts and our souls.

Hallie would suggest one thing to you and ask another; take in a Broadway show if you have a chance, and please remember that mental illness is just that: an illness that sometimes is fatal. The family asks that donations in Hallie’s memory be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah or the Jed Foundation, www.jedfoundation.org. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church, 601 Montano NW at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018. A Reception will follow in the parish hall.