Help Jake & his family bury their mother

Hello, my name is Jake and I'm writing on behalf of my family, the Helffenstein family. This week we lost our beloved matriarch; Kelley Helffenstein.

Kelley was born to her parents Fred and Sandra Velarde. She is survived by her siblings Sherry Flowers and Brandon Velarde, her husband Mark as well as her children Malayna, Aiden, and Jake.

My mother, Kelley, was the apple of her parents eye and an irresistible force of nature during her time on Earth. My mom managed to bear 3 children despite being told she'd be lucky to have one. My mom has also miraculously rebounded through numerous surgeries as well as sicknesses, and managed to become a successful nurse simultaneously. Perhaps my mom's most incredible feat of strength was being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2015 and then carrying on with very little lesions for almost the rest of her life winning accolades along the way at her job as well as making a small army of friends & loved ones.

That miracle can only be matched by the fact that when Kelley was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November of 2021, she faced the virus with absolutely no fear and a grin as she stepped into the uncertainty of the future.

Kelley put up a formidable effort against COVID-19 despite a compromised immune system, and managed to mount a campaign against the virus for a month. Her virtuosity in the face of impossible odds was only matched by the stunning candor she demonstrated towards the ending of her beautiful life. Kelley moved on from life and into peaceful rest on the 20th of December.

My mother has prolifically left an indelible mark on just about everyone that had the utter pleasure of knowing her in life. My mom was recognized as special and genuine by every soul familiar with her. Kelley's soul glistened and fed on the energy of those around her in return, like embers in the open air. Her memory is that of love and generosity, and that is how she will be celebrated.

My family and I are mourning her for having exited this existence as soon as she did, but we are now realizing how blessed and thankful we are to have had as much time as we could with someone like her. We are setting up this fundraiser to help cover the expenses of her funeral arrangements as much of the household has had to take time to mourn with loss of a wonderful soul. Anything that can go towards the celebration of her memory will be cherished as we thank you for your kindness and gracious generosity. We thank you for taking time to appreciate the beauty of her life and the consideration of her legacy in your thoughts.

Our wish for this season is for everyone to be blessed with good fortune and health as we brave this strange and ungenerous Earth; As long as the bonds of kinship that hold us all together never diminish, good people will continue to till the soil and foster the seeds of love that will carry us all into the future.

Thank you.