Simon Kingston Memorial Fund & Family Support
Donation protected
We have lost a very special young man and his very special family needs your help.
Simon Kingston went missing for 4 days on Sunday, November 15th. After frantic searching and uncertainty, Simon’s family found out that he had passed.
Simon was loved and nurtured by an exceptionally close-knit family. He had a tight bond with his siblings Des, Ada, and Leo. The joy between them was palatable and constant. Simon's deep creativity and political interests were nurtured by his father, Niall. And his boundless appetite for wisdom and the wider world was inspired by his mother, Paula.
A gifted artist, musician, and poet, Simon was born an old soul. He had gravitas. He was 'cool' from the beginning. All of this was apparent even from his stroller days. Simon simply had a vibe that everyone noticed and wanted to be around. He knew exactly who he was. Simon was passionate about the rights of others and held articulate positions on social issues.
Beloved by his peers, he had a wide circle of friends. He made a difference in their lives with his imagination, insights, and thoughtfulness. And he deeply appreciated the love, creativity, and joy they brought to his life. Wherever Simon was, something interesting was going to be discussed or happen. He was a sacred, gifted young man living in a profane, everyday world. Which he made extraordinary by his presence. His absence in our lives is -- and will be -- massive, yet having known him also brings comfort.
In addition to the unexpected, tragic loss of Simon, this family has been bombarded with tragedies and hardships over the years. As soon as they recover from one crisis, another hits. I urge you to give as much as you can spare to this heartbroken family.
Funds raised from this campaign will be used in two ways:
1. Help with expenses and re-orienting to a world without Simon
- NY funeral home expenses, flying Simon from NY to OH, and OH funeral home/memorial service expenses
- Flying a member of Niall's family in Ireland to OH, to be of support -- timing tbd by covid
- Time off work for bereavement
- Collecting Simon’s belongings and/or to have them shipped from NY
- Grief support for the parents and siblings
2. Establish a Simon Kingston Memorial Fund
- young artists in Dayton
- social justice initiatives
- drug addiction/mental health issues
All of these themes were integral to Simon's life. The family feels strongly that they want to turn this tragedy into a positive impact. This is what Simon would have wanted. We would love to make this amount as significant as possible to show support for Simon, his family, and the important causes chosen to honor Simon.
Please be as generous as you can to the issues Simon cared about and his loving, devastated family. Even the smallest amount will make a difference.
With warmth and grief,
-- Lisa Lefebvre, family friend
P.S. In the coming months, the offer of a walk or a meal, an invitation to an event or activity, or simply an unexpected phone call can make a meaningfully difference in the family's ability to bear their grief. Their pain will be ongoing.
P.P.S. There is NO NEED to give GoFundMe an additional commission at check out. You can simply put in $0. They already charge 2.9% for all funds donated. They process more money each year than the Gates Foundation and are financially doing just fine.
Simon Kingston went missing for 4 days on Sunday, November 15th. After frantic searching and uncertainty, Simon’s family found out that he had passed.
Simon was loved and nurtured by an exceptionally close-knit family. He had a tight bond with his siblings Des, Ada, and Leo. The joy between them was palatable and constant. Simon's deep creativity and political interests were nurtured by his father, Niall. And his boundless appetite for wisdom and the wider world was inspired by his mother, Paula.
A gifted artist, musician, and poet, Simon was born an old soul. He had gravitas. He was 'cool' from the beginning. All of this was apparent even from his stroller days. Simon simply had a vibe that everyone noticed and wanted to be around. He knew exactly who he was. Simon was passionate about the rights of others and held articulate positions on social issues.
Beloved by his peers, he had a wide circle of friends. He made a difference in their lives with his imagination, insights, and thoughtfulness. And he deeply appreciated the love, creativity, and joy they brought to his life. Wherever Simon was, something interesting was going to be discussed or happen. He was a sacred, gifted young man living in a profane, everyday world. Which he made extraordinary by his presence. His absence in our lives is -- and will be -- massive, yet having known him also brings comfort.
In addition to the unexpected, tragic loss of Simon, this family has been bombarded with tragedies and hardships over the years. As soon as they recover from one crisis, another hits. I urge you to give as much as you can spare to this heartbroken family.
Funds raised from this campaign will be used in two ways:
1. Help with expenses and re-orienting to a world without Simon
- NY funeral home expenses, flying Simon from NY to OH, and OH funeral home/memorial service expenses
- Flying a member of Niall's family in Ireland to OH, to be of support -- timing tbd by covid
- Time off work for bereavement
- Collecting Simon’s belongings and/or to have them shipped from NY
- Grief support for the parents and siblings
2. Establish a Simon Kingston Memorial Fund
- young artists in Dayton
- social justice initiatives
- drug addiction/mental health issues
All of these themes were integral to Simon's life. The family feels strongly that they want to turn this tragedy into a positive impact. This is what Simon would have wanted. We would love to make this amount as significant as possible to show support for Simon, his family, and the important causes chosen to honor Simon.
Please be as generous as you can to the issues Simon cared about and his loving, devastated family. Even the smallest amount will make a difference.
With warmth and grief,
-- Lisa Lefebvre, family friend
P.S. In the coming months, the offer of a walk or a meal, an invitation to an event or activity, or simply an unexpected phone call can make a meaningfully difference in the family's ability to bear their grief. Their pain will be ongoing.
P.P.S. There is NO NEED to give GoFundMe an additional commission at check out. You can simply put in $0. They already charge 2.9% for all funds donated. They process more money each year than the Gates Foundation and are financially doing just fine.
Fundraising team (7)
Lisa Lefebvre
Organizer
Dayton, OH
Paula Ivins
Beneficiary
Allison Mishurda
Team member
Niki Jerome
Team member
Shawn Walters
Team member
Bailey Storms
Team member
