Diana & Melanie Serrano Memorial Fund

I was deeply saddened to learn that last week the entire Serrano family was involved in an automobile accident that claimed the lives of sisters Diana and Melanie Romero Serrano, ages 17 and 6. They were traveling home from visiting relatives in Mexico when, only miles from the Texas border, a tire blew out on their Expedition and their SUV rolled over. Mom and sister Nubia survived uninjured while their father sustained head injuries.

The Serrano family had been our neighbors for many years and my daughter, Marlene, was best friends with Melanie who would of turned 7 this September. Melanie was a shy, sweet and smart girl who loved to dress up and play "Rockstar" with Marlene. Diana seemed to be a lot like her mom, Lidia, she had that same joy for life that sparkled in her eyes and I know her mom was so proud of her for graduating from Gaithersburg High School this past June.

I have started this fund because I felt flowers and a card are just not enough for this immense tragedy. I have had many sleepless nights wondering what I could do for the Serrano family:.and then it occurred to me. They were hours away from the relatives in Mexico that they were visiting, and very far from Gaithersburg, Maryland. At this point I have no idea if a funeral is going to be held in Mexico or Maryland, but I do know that the out of pocket expenses that this double tragedy will incur will surely be a major financial burden. Funerals in the U.S. can run between $10,000 to $20,000 and then you have to times it by two. Even if the girls are buried in Mexico, I am sure it will be thousands. Not to mention their "out of network" hospital bills, unexpected hotel stays, loss of a vehicle, loss of wages, etc.

You can see how quickly the financial burden can add up"”it's like pouring salt on open wounds. So I am calling upon the community to come to their support, support they have not asked for, but support that says: "we cannot comprehend what it would be like to feel your sorrow so this is the least we can do".

I am asking all friends, teachers, co-workers, acquaintances and anyone else who can feel the pain that this family must endure to please donate what you can and support them in their darkest hours. ANY amount is good. 100% of donations will go directly to their family to help with the memorial costs.

Please share this page and this cause.

Diana and Melanie "“ you will be forever in our hearts.

Thank you,
Janene Nusraty