In Honor of Dee Finley: A True Icon & Legend

This fundraiser, organized by Dee's niece Amberlynn, is a reflection of the community's desire to support Dee's loved ones in their time of need. Contributions, big or small, are welcomed to help reach the financial goal set to help honor Dee's memory. This effort not only aids Dee's loved ones financially, but also serves as a collective gesture of love and remembrance for Dee.

Dee was residing in Los Angeles while all of her family is located across the country in New Jersey and Florida. Financial support will enable our family to retrieve Dee's belongings, her beloved cat Mischa, and Dee's remains. Contributions even in the form of airline miles are appreciated.

Furthermore, we were recently informed of the devastating news that Dee's home was broken into after her passing. Our family is in desperate need of financial support in order to enable us to work together with the LAPD to resolve this matter, and to handle all of these overwhelming affairs thoroughly and sufficiently. Donations will also be utilized to organize a memorial in Dee's memory that is intended to take place during the late spring/early summer of 2024. Further details regarding the memorial will be provided as soon as they become available. Lastly, any remaining donations will be donated to non-profit organizations that Dee passionately supported. Any and all support is appreciated beyond measure.

If you had the privilege of knowing Dee Finley, then you were blessed with a beacon of light in your life. As Dee's niece, I have looked up to her from the day I was born. Despite the numerous hardships, setbacks, and challenges that presented themselves before her, she not only persevered, but she overcame each and every one of them in true Dee fashion: with her head held high, her humor on point, and her light shining brighter than ever. Dee is the epitome of resilience, and she enlightened those around her with this incredible gift, regardless of what challenges she may have been facing at the time. The compassion, empathy, and love that she fostered is unparalleled. Dee was your number one cheerleader, the best listening ear, and one who never failed to find the silver linings in any given situation.

Dee was not only the coolest aunt in the world, she was my role model and someone that I looked up to immensely. The depth of my knowledge regarding all that she endured throughout her lifetime probably only scratches the surface to how arduous her life truly was. Yet, she utilized every ounce of pain and defeat that she experienced as motivation to surmount life's hurdles, rather than dwell on them and allow them to hold her back.

Dee was fierce, courageous, and a true force to be reckoned with. By simply being who she was, she paved the way for thousands of individuals, permitting them to be able to express their authentic selves without shame or judgement. Dee left an indelible mark on this world, and genuinely touched the lives of everyone she met. Dee was so unapologetically herself, which made her so wonderfully unique and powerful.

I aspire to be like Dee and make others feel as seen, loved, and understood as she did. If I can be even half the person that Dee was, I will be satisfied knowing that I am enriching the world around me as she did every single day.