In a poignant tribute, Matt Okula has taken to social media to commemorate his late wife, Hailey Okula, on Mother’s Day. Hailey, a dedicated nurse and beloved content creator, passed away shortly after giving birth to their son, Crew, on March 29, 2025. She was only 33 years old. Matt’s heartfelt message conveyed his deep love for Hailey and the profound loss he continues to navigate as a single parent.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Matt-Hailey-Okula-1-051126-fbbc81d6ebb54484ab4269f2e0f540e8.jpg)
On May 10, Matt shared a video on Instagram showcasing treasured memories from Hailey’s pregnancy. He expressed gratitude for their son, saying, “You absolutely loved carrying him and were so happy to finally be a mum. I’m forever grateful you gave me our greatest blessing.” The heartwarming post features a collection of photographs and clips that reflect the couple’s joyful anticipation leading up to Crew’s arrival.


Hailey’s untimely death was attributed to an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare but severe complication that can occur during or after childbirth. This condition arises when amniotic fluid or other materials enter the maternal bloodstream, which can lead to catastrophic cardiovascular failure. Despite the challenges they faced, Hailey and Matt had welcomed their child through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) after struggling with infertility for nearly two years.
Since his wife’s passing, Matt has taken it upon himself to manage Hailey’s social media account, @RNNewGrads, which she created to provide support and resources for newly qualified nurses. With over 500,000 followers, the page has become a platform for both preserving Hailey’s legacy and sharing valuable medical content. Matt regularly posts material that Hailey had prepared prior to her death, ensuring that her voice and expertise continue to benefit others.
Throughout this challenging journey, Matt has also documented his own experiences as a grieving husband and single father to their one-year-old son. In his Mother’s Day tribute, he shared a glimpse of how he and Crew are honouring Hailey’s memory. A photograph from the celebration depicted a table adorned with framed images of Hailey during her pregnancy, accompanied by a handwritten sign that read, “Hailey, we honour you today as we celebrate Mother’s Day…we love you.”
Reflecting on the significance of this day, Matt expressed gratitude for the support of his family, who’ve been instrumental in helping him cope with the loss. “As we continue moving forward in this new life, I love that I never have to ask. My family already knows how important it is to me, and to all of us, that Hailey always has a place at the table,” he wrote in his Instagram story.
The couple had first announced their pregnancy on September 17, 2024, a milestone that brought immense joy after a long battle with infertility. In a previous post, Hailey described the feeling of joy accompanying that announcement as “indescribable,” underlining the couple’s emotional journey towards parenthood.
On the first anniversary of Hailey’s passing, Matt opened up about the emotional complexity of celebrating Crew’s first birthday while remembering the day he lost his wife. He described the experience as “bittersweet,” noting that while he has made significant progress in his grief journey, certain days remain exceptionally challenging. “I can say I’m doing much better and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I still have tough and emotional days, but I’m grateful to have a strong support system that’s always there to lift me up when I need it,” he told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview.
Through this painful period, Matt’s public acknowledgement of Hailey’s influence continues to resonate with followers, highlighting the importance of cherishing loved ones and treasuring memories that bridge the gap between joy and grief. As he navigates fatherhood without Hailey, he remains committed to carrying forward her legacy, both in their family life and the medical community they cherished.
