(Update 2)

Quick update for everyone who has been following and supporting Liz’s fundraiser.

Last night I finished setting up the bank transfer for the fundraiser funds. You can see the time it was submitted in the screenshot, and according to GoFundMe it usually takes about 2–5 business days for the transfer to go through.

Once the transfer clears, the first step will be reimbursing Liz’s legally recognized spouse for the documented cremation service charges and the urn that was purchased.

After that is taken care of, we’ll be able to talk together about what should be done with the remaining funds.

One idea I had mentioned before was donating to Families Against Fentanyl, but the more I’ve thought about Liz and the things that made her who she was, the more I keep coming back to how much she loved animals. Anyone who knew her knows she had a soft spot for every creature on earth. She was basically Elmira from Tiny Toons in real life.

So maybe one option would be splitting the remaining funds between Families Against Fentanyl and an animal rescue, or whatever meaningful idea people who loved her feel would honor her best. Because so many people loved Liz, I want this to be something we decide TOGETHER . I’m not going to move forward with anything until I feel comfortable that everyone has had the chance to share their thoughts.

Another idea I’ve been thinking about is creating a small memorial garden for Liz, with a stone similar to a headstone and filled with the kinds of plants and flowers she loved most. I’d want to add little things to the garden over time that reflect who she truly was too — things like spaces for wildlife to visit, with feeders or other small touches that would welcome wildlife to visit. My hope would be that being surrounded by all the little things that were so “Liz” it would make the space feel a little closer to her.

It has been 12 days since February 25, and I’m still very much struggling with the reality that my baby sister is gone. I’m doing the best I can to navigate all of this while trying to make sure that one of the last acts of love I can do for her is done thoughtfully and with care. I just ask for a little patience and grace while we figure this out together.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

— Thomas Campbell

(Update 1)

Hi guys. I want to give you all a quick update and start by saying thank you. I hadn’t been closely watching the donations as they were coming in, but when I checked yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised and incredibly grateful to see how quickly our friends and family showed up for Liz. Because the amount raised was more than enough to cover the immediate expenses, I turned the donations off yesterday. 

Since people should be completely transparent on here let’s chat about how Liz’s funds will be handled-

 Liz’s end-of-life expenses ended up being paid out of pocket by her ex and so the first step will be reimbursing those costs. The total amount to be reimbursed is $1,296.82, which includes $1,236.83 for the Direct cremation out of Gainesville bill/related expenses, along with $59.99 for the urn he got. (I’ll go ahead and include photos of each bill)

I am still in the process of trying to figure out HOW to get funds transferred, (I may need some help cause I’ve no idea what I’m doing) but the goal is to have that reimbursement completed within the next few days. As of now NONE of the funds of and for Liz have been used. A receipt for any and all transfers will be saved. And available for any and everyone.

Our family and friends raised $3,385.00, which means that after those expenses are reimbursed, the remaining balance will be $2,088.18. At first I considered simply refunding the rest, but because part of the funds will be used for reimbursement, the refund process becomes complicated- how do you pick and chose who gets a refund? What I would love to do instead (and ONLY if everyone is comfortable with it) is donate the remaining balance to FamiliesAgainstFentanyl.org (please check them out) They are an organization that supports families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl who are experiencing this very same heartbreak. I am absolutely open to any and all ideas any of you might have about where the rest of the funds should be donated. If you were lucky enough to know my sister you know how big her heart was and so I think donating the entire leftover sum would be a meaningful way for us all to honor her.

I want to make sure that everyone is on board and is going to be completely comfortable with how their contribution is used for the leftover amount and so I will give everyone a week to withdraw their donation if they would prefer not to have it used in that way. Please know there will be absolutely no judgment for anyone who chooses to do so. And again I will keep receipts and documentation for all transfers related to the fundraiser.

If anyone would like to see them or has any questions, please feel free to reach out.

 Thank you all again for showing up for Liz and for our family. Your kindness and support during this time mean more than you know.

My sister was found dead in the woods off Beach blvd in Jacksonville, Florida, on February 25th—just a few days ago. As I’m writing this, it’s been just about 48 hours since I found out and sitting with a kind of pain I don’t even have proper words for. The closest I can get is to say that I’m drowning in grief but even that doesn’t seem to do justice for what I’m feeling..

I lost more than just my sister this week. I lost my best friend.

We’re Irish twins, meaning there was less than a year between us. As far back as I’ve had memory and awareness, she has always been there.There has never been a version of my life without her in it. As a matter of fact- my very first memory is of me on a hardwood floor in the hall of our childhood home in Detroit trying to get my her to crawl to me.And now, all this time later I feel like I’m still right there on that floor again and reaching for my sister…

just wishing she could come back to me one more time.

This loss is devastating to those of us who were lucky enough to know and love her well.

Those of us directly affected are left with so many questions, and nothing to do but wait.

All of us that loved her wanna find a way to honor her the way she deserves and this helps in doing so. I have no clue how to do this across 3 states. If anyone has any good ideas on how PLEASE suggest some. 

In times like these people find themselves wanting to help, but not knowing what to do and it would help us a great deal to get some help with the costs of cremation, urns, and the other end-of-life expenses that come with this. (Update~Liz’s ex covered some initial costs out of pocket that these funds will be used to reimburse)

So if you are able to donate, we’d deeply grateful. If not, sharing this means just as much. Every bit truly helps.

Thank you for showing up for Liz