A Galesburg girl who was murdered by her mother at the age of 7 was honored Thursday with a memorial bench dedication at Kiwanis Park — on what would have been her 13th birthday.
Willow Nevaeh Banks died January 24, 2021. Her mother, Hazel Ivy, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 53 years in prison. Court testimony detailed that Willow died from stab wounds and injuries consistent with strangulation. Read WGIL’s previous coverage of the case.
Thursday, about 40 people, including family members, gathered at Kiwanis Park to make sure Willow is not forgotten.
Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley Worby and Galesburg Police Chief Kevin Legate both spoke at the ceremony.
Most people in Galesburg never knew Willow was here. She moved to the area in late 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and was never enrolled in school. She had spent years with her foster family — Don and Bonnie Yost — along with her big sister, Destinee. She spent periods of time with her mother as well, as her mother gained and then lost stability.
In her remarks, Worby described Willow as a child with an infectious smile who loved music and loved to dance.
“She was a bright, fierce light to all of those around her,” Worby told the crowd. “She was wise beyond her years, truly.”
Worby shared a story about Willow at age 5, comforting a friend who was crying.
“It’s going to be okay,” Willow told her friend. “Jesus will help you. I will pray for you.” She took her friend’s hand and prayed with her. “So simple, pure, and sweet,” Worby said.
Worby closed her remarks with the words engraved on the bench itself.
“We remember. We protect. And we seek justice.”
Following the ceremony, Worby told WGIL the idea for the bench had stayed with her for years.
“Willow is a child that just kind of has lived with me, in my heart,” Worby said. “I just felt like it was so important for our community to recognize that this child lived here, because her life matters, just like every other child. I just wanted everybody to know that she lived.”
Worby said she approached the city, which approved the request. She said she never expected Lacky Monuments to donate the bench outright.
“I never imagined, in a million years, that they would just outright donate that memorial,” she said.
The granite bench bears Willow’s name, photo, and dates — June 25, 2013 to January 24, 2021. The top reads: “In memory of a young life taken by violence, and in honor of all children harmed.” The front reads: “We remember. We protect. We seek justice.” The bench was dedicated by the Knox County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Galesburg Police Department.
Worby said Willow’s foster family was overwhelmed by the dedication.
“They were just absolutely floored, and so excited, that we would do this and honor her life,” Worby said. “They are beautiful, beautiful, generous people. And I know that they made a very positive impact on Willow’s life and gave her a very good life.”
At the close of the ceremony, Worby released 13 balloons into the sky — one for each year Willow would have turned.
