Young Marine loses battle with cancer, but her baby's benefit concert with Bebo Norman will go on

Four-month-old Lilly Bridges will not be in her mother’s arms on Sunday. Cancer-stricken Kailee died last night in the intensive care unit at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

On Mother’s Day, the 20-year-old Marine’s family, including husband, Justin, will instead mourn the woman who valiantly underwent life-saving surgery in February while pregnant.

But the concert for Lilly’s Trust Fund scheduled for this Friday at Grace Baptist Church in Batavia will go on as planned with Christian music superstar Bebo Norman, of Nashville. The performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $25 and are available through itickets.com.

Although her doctors and loved ones hoped to have her home by this weekend, about 10 days ago she took a turn for the worse, said her pastor, Mark Hurlbut.

“We’re glad God gave her husband and myself the grace and wisdom to provide for (Lilly),” Hurlbut said, regarding the series of events and decisions that unfolded to bring about the plans for a benefit concert well in advance of Kailee’s downturn.

In the Providence of God, here we are,” he said.

The recording artist has been kept in the loop all along the way, Hurlbut said, describing him as a terrific man of God who “will be asked to wear his preacher’s hat” on Friday.

Kailee, who was from Wyoming County and graduated from Warsaw High School, had been in ICU since her surgery and her young Marine husband had practically lived there over the past few months. In light of the circumstances, the Texas native is holding up.

“If the Marine Corps didn’t make him grow up, this will,” the pastor said. “It’s a lot for a young man to go through, but he is shouldering it well.”

Little Lilly is healthy and adorable.

Those who knew her mother say she had a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior and they know where she is today and that she has no more pain.

H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.