Jessica Halliday

SUTTON – Jessica Lynn Halliday, 33, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 26th in her home surrounded by her loving family, after a long-hard battle with cancer.

She was born in Boston, MA, the second daughter of Renee and James Halliday. She leaves behind her sister, Tanya Halliday; her loving boyfriend, Nick Leandres; her four-legged children, Charlie, Moose, and Nala (dogs) and beloved horses. In addition she leaves behind, her paternal grandfather, James P. Halliday; maternal grandmother, Eleanor Zampetti; uncles Chris Halliday and his wife, Melinda, Rob Halliday and his wife, Amanda, and Joe Zampetti; aunts Robin Halliday and Rhonda Zampetti; cousins Melissa Smith and Joshua, Anastasia, Natalia, Payton, and Taylor Halliday; and countless friends that were like family. She is preceded in death by the other member of her “Jack Pack”, Burghley (dog); her paternal grandmother, MaryAnn Halliday; her maternal grandfather Joseph Zampetti; and her uncle Ronnie Zampetti.

While Jessica’s life was too short in years, the impact she has had on this world, and particularly the equestrian community, is unmatched. Jessica built her business, JH Eventing, from humble beginnings and eventually found a permanent home with her own facility, Baile Hill Farm, in Sutton, MA. It was a place where everyone was welcomed into the group with open arms and supported in all of their pursuits, both on and off horseback. While she taught riders of all ages, Jess was especially fond of coaching and mentoring young riders. Her motto was “be who you needed when you were younger”, and she did just that for so many over the years. As evidence of Jess’ long-term dedication to teaching horsemanship and inspiring riders to pursue eventing, she was the recipient of the United States Eventing Association’s 2018 Cornerstone Instructor Award. Despite undergoing invasive cancer treatment for over three years, Jess did not let this slow her down. It is hard to believe this tough as nails, force-of-nature is no longer here with us.

Family and friends are invited to remember and celebrate Jess’ life with a walk-through visitation on Friday, November 5th from 2 to 7 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street in Millbury.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 6th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mark’s Church, 359 Boston Road in Sutton.

For the funeral, we encourage equestrian attendees to consider wearing show attire, and others to dress casually and consider wearing any Buck Off Cancer apparel or black and blue clothing (Jessica’s cross-country colors) they have.

The family requests flower donation be omitted, and contributions may be made to Buck Off Cancer

Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 113, Stow, MA 01775.