We are deeply saddened within our hearts and minds for the sudden passing and loss of our brother and son, Dylan James Pickett. Dylan was 28 years old and would have turned 29 on October 14th.

My family hesitated to initiate this GoFundMe campaign because we have traditionally faced any challenges within the close-knit support of our immediate family. Our parents instilled in us the ultimate importance of family unity and taught us that the collective strength of our family can confront anything. So, in my eyes, it has always been us against life’s adversities. My siblings and I, equipped with our moral compasses, our family’s core values, and the comfort of having one another, felt empowered to journey along life’s path hand in hand.

We never imaged our path to be journeyed without Dylan. Without his humour, his fearless protectiveness over family, and his uncanny ability to find laughter in even the most difficult (and perhaps inappropriate) situations. We will cherish the memories he gifted us, we will miss him wholeheartedly, but we will keep him in our hearts forever and always. Our journey carries on, and while our relationship with Dylan has changed, it too will carry on.

Donated funds will go towards the funeral costs that we will organize to remember and honour Dylan, and any additional funds will be donated to an organization we hold dear to our hearts - an organization to which we owe countless thanks for having helped us ease the strain on Dylan’s mind many, many times: the Canadian Mental Health Association, a non-profit foundation.


Sometimes Dylan would be led astray by his inner demons and to say the least, at times his path led him through hell. Our paths weren’t always aligned, but they did run parallel, so even though I won’t ever be able to fully understand the inner battles he endured, I do understand it takes an extraordinarily strong person to persevere as he did. Despite all that Dylan went through, his compass always led him back to what he’s always known and what he’s always cared for most - family.

Even though Dylan has passed on from this world, his path has realigned with ours. I feel his presence, his love, and his support in everything I do. He was always so proud of each of us. Dylan was our skilled handyman and an innovative jack-of-all-trades, yet he talked about our individual successes and would honour and celebrate them as if he accomplished them himself. And in a way he did, because he is an extension of all that is good in my family’s life since he’s always been there to push, encourage, and challenge each of us to be our best selves - even when he was struggling the most.

I remember when Dylan took out his wallet and had one of my NWSL trading cards in it. It was a picture of me wearing my team’s jersey. I had no idea he even carried it with him, but there it was- worn out from showing it to everyone he met. And he had told me “I like showing everyone this, I showed some random guys at the bar yesterday. I’m proud of you Veigh (my nickname growing up). You made it big time, you have your own card!” Well Dylan, WE made it big time and we’re gonna keep moving up in this world hand in hand - just like how we started.

If I am anything, I am just a little sister who is proud of her big brother. Proud of the way he fought, the way he loved, and the way he supported us all. I know you gave it your all Dylan, and now you can rest peacefully. You don’t have to question anything anymore. With the voices silenced, I hope the answers are loud and clear to you. You were a fantastic son, a great big brother, a friendly face to everyone, and truly a good person to the core.

I sincerely hope that this GoFundMe campaign will enable Dylan’s beliefs and values to continue to resonate within the community. And just like how he helped me to make it big, I want to help him make it big and show the world just how large his heart is.

We miss you. We love you.