Girl, 9, Killed In Crash Had 'One Of Most Beautiful Souls': GoFundMe

NEW LENOX, IL — A 9-year-old Wilmington girl who died along her grandmother in a crash last Thursday is being remembered as "an animal lover at heart," and a "wonderful, thoughtful child with one of the most beautiful souls this world has ever seen."

Weylen R. Cadorette and her grandmother Lisa Dome, 53, died after authorities say Dome missed a stop sign and her vehicle was struck by a pickup truck at 12000 North Road and Illinois Route 50 in Manteno.

Still reeling from the loss, friends and community have rallied behind the family with the start of an online fundraiser. Animal Clinic of New Lenox, where Weylen's mother Emily Dome works, paid tribute to Weylen.

"Weylen was taken way too early from this life. She was a wonderful, thoughtful child with one of the most beautiful souls this world has ever seen," organizers wrote. "Wey loved all animals, but she had a particular passion for horses. She also loved to do arts and crafts and her creativity was just beginning to shine."

The third-grader at Stevens Intermediate School in Wilmington had a passion for reading and writing, family said in her obituary.

"Known for her creativity from a young age," the obituary reads, "Weylen was brimming with clever ideas and took great delight in expressing herself through drawing."

Born to Emily Dome of Wilmington and Thomas Cadorette of Waterman, Weylen was a "bright and enthusiastic student," and had also grown a love for travel at a young age.

"She was fortunate to explore through travel with her family and just like her grandmother, she found peace and joy in nature's beauty," according to her obituary.

Weylen "was most free and herself when at the beach," and her "fascination with dragons added a whimsical flair to her character."

Weylen survived by her parents, maternal grandfather Charles Dome of Woodridge, Illinois; paternal grandparents: Larry and Roberta Cadorette of Jacksonville, Florida; great-grandparents: Patti and Edward Bednar and Brenda (Paul) Czarapata; great-great grandmothers: Shirley Bednar, Karen Bartels and Jean Anderson; aunts and uncles: Joseph (Jessica) Dome and Shela (William) Fey, both of Coal City; Heather Cadorette of Joliet, Illinois and Gabe (Emily) Cadorette of Missouri; several great aunts and great uncles and her two cousins: Rylan and Blake Cadorette.

Pronounced deceased shortly before her granddaughter, Weylen's grandmother Lisa Dome shared her love of discovery. She "found joy in exploration; she adored traveling and found solace in the worlds created by books and crochet needles," family wrote in her obituary.

"Above all else, Lisa cherished her family," her obituary reads. "Her dream of motherhood was beautifully realized through her three beloved children—Joseph, Shela, and Emily— as well as her precious granddaughter Weylen."

Dome is survived by her parents Edward and Patricia Bednar; three children: Joseph (Jessica) Dome and Shela (William) Fey, both of Coal City, and Emily; her siblings Edward Bednar, Gerald Bednar and Julie (Troy) David; grandmother Shirley Bednar, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dome grew up in Downers Grove, and was a 1988 graduate of Downers Grove South High School. She was an employee at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Wilmington at the time of her death.

"Those who knew Lisa will forever remember her infectious laughter, warm presence, and unwavering devotion to her loved ones."

Staff at the New Lenox animal clinic hope to raise $30,000 to support their colleague, whom Weylen deeply loved.

"Wey loved her mom more than words could ever express, and she was fiercely loved herself by everyone in her life, but especially by her own mom," staff wrote. "Her beautiful, gentle, passionate soul will be greatly missed and there is a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.

"...we will miss you forever, sweet baby Wey."

The family encourages donations in Weylen's memory to the Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County or to an animal rescue of the donor’s choosing. In Lisa's honor, preferred memorials may be made as gifts in her memory to the family for their distribution to local charities of their choosing, or to a charity of the donor’s wishes.

Visitation for both Dome and Weylen will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Rd. in Wilmington.