Hi Friends,

I've started this fundraiser on behalf of Allison and Jack, children of my beloved cousin, Lisa. After struggling with deep emotional pain and financial hardship, my cousin Lisa died by suicide on May 10th.

Ally, 23, and Jack, 21, are navigating a heartbreaking new reality while carrying the weight of funeral expenses, living costs, future school expenses, and the urgent need for grief counseling.

About Ally and Jack

Ally is a pediatric cardiology nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, she takes care of patients from newborns through early teens, and has truly found her calling there. She is engaged to her high school sweetheart and they are planning their wedding for September 2025. Jack just finished his junior year at Ole Miss and will be returning this fall. He finished his LSATs just days before his mother's service and he hopes to attend law school in 2026. They are young but strong, determined, and full of love—just like their mother.

Lisa was known for her vibrant spirit, deep care for others, and her unwavering dedication to her children. As a family of three, their incredible bond grew from Lisa as the driving force behind her children's academic achievements and dreams, balanced with the warmth, laughter and infectious joy that she shared. If Lisa wasn't rallying her family and friends to cheer on her kids, Ally and Jack were bringing their friends around to share in their mom's compassion, wisdom, and guidance that they so valued.

If you are able, please contribute any amount that feels right to you. Your donations will be held in a custodial account and used to cover costs for grief counseling, living costs, and tuition for Ally and Jack.

I'm deeply grateful for any support my community can offer, and the tight community showing up for Ally and Jack.

With love,

Melissa

More About Lisa

I am heartbroken that Lisa—someone so full of love, laughter, and generosity—was silently living with so much emotional pain. As a single mom, she dedicated her life to her children and her country, serving in the CIA. In hindsight, it pains all of those close to her to recognize that Lisa needed resources she was too proud to ask for.

Check in on your people, especially the ones on their own, that seem to have it all together. Check-in, check-in again, and again, and again.