Zoe Setchell was a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew her. A graduate of Yorkville High School and a student at Waubonsee Community College, Zoe was pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse anesthetist—a career rooted in empathy, care, and service. She had a deep desire to help people during their most vulnerable moments and approached life with determination, compassion, and an open heart.

Nursing was more than a career choice for Zoe—it was a calling shaped by family, love, and example. She proudly followed in the footsteps of the nurses who came before her: her grandmother, her mother, and her older sister, who will soon graduate from Waubonsee Community College with a nursing degree. Zoe embraced this path with passion and purpose, eager to carry on a family legacy of service.

Tragically, Zoe’s journey was cut short, but her legacy of compassion and service lives on. In her honor, Zoe’s family has established the Zoe Setchell Memorial Nursing Scholarship to support future nurses from her hometown. Funds raised will provide a scholarship to a Yorkville High School senior or recent graduate who has been admitted to or is currently enrolled in the Nursing Program at Waubonsee Community College.

The mission of this scholarship is to honor Zoe’s heart for others by supporting students who share her dream of becoming a nurse. It aims to ease the financial burden of nursing education while encouraging future healthcare professionals to lead with empathy, perseverance, and care—just as Zoe did. Every donation, no matter the size, helps create opportunities for a future nurse and ensures Zoe’s compassion continues to make a difference in our community.

The goal of this fundraiser is to establish a $10,000 scholarship fund, allowing the Zoe Setchell Memorial Nursing Scholarship to be awarded annually. Each year, the scholarship will support a Yorkville High School graduate or graduating senior pursuing their nursing education within the Waubonsee Community College Nursing Program.

In addition, the family is raising $1,000 to make one-time donations in honor of two of Zoe’s other passions. Zoe was a lifelong animal lover, and a donation will be made to Renko Animal Rescue in her memory. From ages 9 to 17, Zoe was also a dedicated softball player and proud member of the Redhawks Travel Softball Organization. The Redhawks were more than a team—they were a community that helped shape Zoe’s confidence, discipline, and love for the game. In recognition of the meaningful role the organization played in her life, a donation will be made to support their continued impact on young athletes.

Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser. Your support honors Zoe’s memory, uplifts future nurses, and keeps her spirit of kindness and care alive. Thank you for being part of this meaningful tribute.