Help Liz Byrd's Kids Thrive After Tragedy

My name is Rob and this GoFundMe Campaign is to honor my late sister, Liz Byrd, who passed tragically on July 31st, and to raise funds for her three kids, Jonathan (age 11), Brooke (age 9), and Matt (age 4). Liz was a teacher at heart and my family if full educators who believe that education has the power to not only open doors but change lives. That is why we decided all funds raised will be placed in a 529 plan for each of Liz's children for their continued education and related expenses.

Liz's life ended far too soon as she had just turned 43. The context of her untimely death has devastated her children, family, and friends. The children will now be collectively raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and Liz's best friend and her family.

Liz was a ray of sunshine to all who knew her. A former high school Physical Education teacher, a lifelong fitness instructor, a consistent parent volunteer at her children's school, she was passionate about building community, serving others, and finding joy and purpose.

Her greatest passion though, was being a mom to her three kids. She loved the challenges of being a parent, the unique differences in her kids' personalities, and prioritized learning the love languages of each of them. She was relentlessly committed to helping each of them develop emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. She loved to engage her children, and those of her family and friends, in play, helping them to appreciate health and wellness.

Whether you were her best friend, knew her in high school or college, worked with her, took one of her classes, or just met her in passing at the grocery store, you were guaranteed to leave any interaction with Liz feeling inspired, heard, and understood.

Her impact was so great that so many colleagues, friends, and acquantainces referred to her as their chosen family member. She simply loved humanity with her whole heart. Please consider helping her light continue to shine by supporting Jonathan, Brooke, and Matt.

*Disclaimer/Trigger Warning: The link below is included with the intent of providing context to the sudden and dramatic pivot Liz's children and extended family, both biological and chosen, must now make as the children have, in effect, lost both parents. May discourse around the importance of wellness, both phsyical and mental, receive the time it deserves.

News Article on Liz's death