La Palma, California resident Hailey Marie Okula passed away due to complications from childbirth, leaving behind her newborn son, Crew.
As per Hailey’s LinkedIn profile, she pursued her bachelor’s degree in digital communications and media/multimedia from Oregon State University.
Highlights
- Hailey Marie Okula graduated from Boise State University and founded RN New Grads in 2019.
- Okula passed away after giving birth to her son, Crew.
- Hailey tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend, Matthew “Matt” Okula, in 2022.
Later, she graduated as a registered nurse from Boise State University.
While Okula was a newly graduated nursing student, she founded RN New Grads in 2019 to help new graduate nurses and nursing students succeed and create a safe place for nurses.
Hailey Marie Okula Obituary: A Tragic Loss Due to Childbirth Complications
Hailey Marie Okula died on April 2025 after giving birth to her first newborn son, Crew Okula.
RN New Grads took to their official Facebook handle to announce the tragic news. They wrote,
It is with the heaviest of heart that I share the devastating news of the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula, due to complications from childbirth. Words cannot convey the depth of the loss I feel. Hailey was more than I could have ever dreamed of in a wife and partner. She was gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal. Though her time with us was tragically cut short, Hailey’s love for Crew was limitless, long before he entered this world. She would have been the most amazing mom. Her spirit, courage, and love will live on in our son, and through everyone whose lives she touched. Hailey poured her soul into her career as a nurse and her passion for teaching others through her business, RN New Grads. She was so proud of it and was dedicated to creating something meaningful, not just for herself, but for the nursing community she loved so much.
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Okula’s friends and relatives sent their heartfelt condolences to her family through the comment section. One user wrote,
Heartbroken for your family. She helped me and so many of my colleagues in nursing school and beyond. Such a short life but she had a HUGE positive impact on the world.
Another user wrote,
My eyes couldnt believe and my brain couldnt process who died! I had to read it over and over again. That’s heartbreaking!!!!!!!!
The Third one wrote,
This can’t be real. This doesn’t even compute this is heartbreaking 💔 she was so excited about this pregnancy. I am very sorry for your loss! Her educational videos have been pivotal in my early nursing years. This is a great loss.
Jason Teter organized a GoFundMe fundraising campaign for Hailey’s funeral expenses, household bills, future baby supplies, and childcare for her son Crew.
Huntington Beach, California resident Nicole Teter shared GoFundMe’s link on her Facebook timeline and requested everyone to donate. She wrote,
An unimaginable tragedy has happened in our Fire family. Matt Okula lost his beautiful wife, Hailey, shortly after she gave birth to Baby Crew, their first child. Please share and donate to help him through this immense tragedy.
The campaign aims to collect $100k. However, 1,200 people have already donated, and around $74,225 has been collected.
Other close ones and relatives have also poured their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Okula’s family to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment.
Hailey will always be remembered for her unforgettable contributions as a registered nurse.
Hailey’s family will soon make the funeral service schedule available. Rest in Paradise, Hailey Marie Okula.
Hailey Marie Okula Is Survived By Her Husband, Matthew “Matt” Okula, And Their Son, Crew
A registered nurse, Hailey Marie Okula, married her longtime boyfriend, Matthew “Matt” Okula, in 2022. Their wedding took place at Hailey’s mother’s house in the PNW.
As per the source, they went through years of infertility struggles and a challenging IVF process.
Luckily, they were blessed with their first child, a son, Crew, in 2025. Sadly, Hailey died after giving birth, leaving Matt to navigate life as a single father.
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Matthew is mourning the loss of his wife, Hailey. He remembered the time they were excited to become parents,
Hailey’s strength was unparalleled. Words can’t describe how badly we wanted to be parents. After years of infertility struggles and a long, challenging IVF process, we were overjoyed to be expecting Crew. Hailey faced every hurdle with so much courage and love—even though her body went through so much, she never wavered.” I will never forget the moment I broke down, apologizing for the toll the process would take on her. She held my face, looked into my eyes, and said, “We are a team, and we’ll get through this together.” That was Hailey. A fighter. A teammate. A woman who would do anything for the people she loved.
Matthew is a dedicated member of the Los Angeles Fire Department. As an engineer, he earned $278,232 in 2020.
Additional Information
- According to public records, Matthew “Matt” Okula’s salary increased by 26.32% from 2019 to 2020. His salary was 6% higher than the average and 4% higher than the salary of a media Engineer in the Fire Department.
- Hailey had skills in social marketing fulfillment, marketing, and content services.
- Okula is half Hispanic and half white. She did gymnastics for 18 years & received a full-ride scholarship to compete in D1 gymnastics.
