Our 14-year-old daughter was struck and killed in a crosswalk by a drunk driver on May 25th in Newport Beach.
We have a wonderful opportunity to memorialize and immortalize Rose. I am humbly requesting your support again.
Rose loved animals. She supported the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter via adoption and donations. The shelter is honoring Rose by allowing us to place a permanent metal memorial bench within the shelter grounds.
Rose liked mushrooms, sunsets, the ocean, the mountains, butterflies, hummingbirds, dogs, cats, and flowers, Her favorite stuffie was a fluffy bear. Those would be the items in the design.
The words on the bench will be:
Honoring Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley
Beloved Daughter Sister Granddaughter Niece Girlfriend Cousin & Friend
Born Miraculously on 12/5/09
Her Beautiful Life Stolen by a Drunk Driver on 5/25/24
Forever Loved - Never Forgotten
There will be an etching/photograph of Rose and a QR code linked to a permanent page about her short but amazing life.
I implore you to assist my family with creating a permanent legacy for Rose as we continue to grieve this incomprehensible loss.
We are also coordinating with the school district to have a bench installed at the elementary school, middle school, and high school (as she would have been a freshman this school year).
The initial bench is being built by the preeminent expert in the field. A family member may be able to make the other three for the school district at a lower cost, but we are anticipating the need to raise several thousand dollars. The benches will be made to last 100 years, or more, and will create a lasting legacy for our beloved Baby Rose.
The money from the first GoFundMe went towards her mortuary costs, Celebration of Life, a memorial plaque at the intersection where she was (allegedly) murdered, a charity that helps animals living with the unhoused, and her Tree of Life in Lake Arrowhead - with some left over for her favorite charity - the San Bernardino Animal Shelter.
