Honoring Allison's Life

I am requesting donations to help with cost of coordinating and providing funeral services for my niece Allison, who died suddenly 5 days ago. I apologize that this is long, but felt that all details here are important to this cause.

The last time I heard from Allison, she said "I love you aunt Kelly, I miss you and would like to talk to you." I am learning to live with the fact that the call will not be coming. In her final years, she battled with addiction, and did not recover. I can tell you with certainty that she fought for her life and was terrified that she would not make it. She pleaded for help in her final days, and tried to reach me. It's hard for me to understand that she is not here.

I was the first to hold Allison at birth, myself a child. My sister struggled with addiction and baby Allison subsequently went into foster care. My sister couldn't provide her children with the care they needed, and made a loving decision to relinquish her parental rights in the hopes they would have a better opportunity in life. The foster family adopted Allison and I remained a constant, safe and trusting person in Allison's life. This continues in her spirit. The sudden death of Allison has devastated those who loved her, including her biological mother and siblings, and la familia de Allison que viven en México, with whom she lived after the last time she lived with me, which I will tell you about here.

I had just started college as a 1st generation, non-traditional student at age 24 with an 8th grade education, living in chronic poverty and still working full-time. I was about halfway through my college degree/ Allison began high school when I received a call from the adopted family regarding a sudden death of their biological son and want to no longer have Allison in their home. They asked me if I would take her, to which I agreed with open arms.

Allison immediately moved into my small apartment. I spent hours conversing with her, guiding her and doing my best to be a parental figure for her. She was grieving severely over the loss of her brother and issues with her adoptive family. I was in class when I received a call that she attempted suicide while I was away.

Dealing with the adoptive family was hard for both of us, and I found that I could not take her back into my home from the hospital since I was unable to be with her more often to ensure her safety. The family then facilitated sending her to Mexico, where her biological father and his family live.

She was no longer a minor when she returned to the United States a short while later. I had graduated and began my work in social services - we would meet downtown for kombucha and talk about life. She was so smart, loving, thoughtful and kind. She loved my dog and she especially loved cats, and had cats of her own. She started working and doing her best to transition into life as an adult on her own. Allison desperately wanted to form a loving family, soon giving birth to 2 sons. Her baby is with her oldest sister/my niece who was adopted herself by a different family. In addition to this sister, Allison has 3 brothers and 1 one other sister (all my sister's children), who were each adopted by a different family. 5 months ago, we connected with the youngest (19 – adopted at birth) who is a US marine – he, myself and Allison's oldest sister have maintained daily contact since. He flew across the country as I was writing this, to be with our family, meet everyone for the 1st time and honor his late sister for whom he will never be able to meet. Ella también tiene a los hermanos de su padre. Todos sus hermanos se ven afectados por esto.

As for my sister/their mother, she just so happens to be approaching her 7th year off drugs, and I finally saw her for the first time in 7 years at the beginning of this month. We spoke about her children, whom she loves and wants to be well.

At the time of Allison's death, the family who had adopted Allison and were part of her legal name, relinquished legal rights to her body, stating that they are not involved with her. They signed her over to me. I work 2 jobs and do not have any financial support/savings. I have been in contact with Allison's family in México, and they are very sad they cannot be here or assist financially. It would mean everything to have your support in assisting Allison's family in funeral services for her, to honor her life and spirit, and provide a proper opportunity for her siblings and loved ones to gather, share and grieve as a family. Should we be privileged to meet our goal and exceed it, all remaining funds will be provided to her sister who is caring for Allison's baby, along with her own 2 young children, and will be proceeding with his adoption. Thank you.