Create a Lasting Legacy for Rose

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.