Dear friends, family, and community,
Our hearts are completely broken by the sudden and tragic loss of our dear friend, Alessandra (Aly) - affectionately known to all of us as Sassy.
Sassy was a true Lisle gem. She brought an undeniable light into every room she walked- or rolled- into and left a lasting, positive impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Her sudden passing, after being found unresponsive at home by her family, has left us with a void that words cannot begin to fill. It all happened so quickly, leaving us with questions we may never fully understand.
Sassy was a deeply loved daughter and a protective, caring big sister. She loved life and found joy in so many things—from How to Train Your Dragon and My Little Pony, to enjoying good food, sipping her favorite Crystal Light and milk, creating stories using AI, and simply talking and connecting with people. She fiercely loved her family and her school. In fact, Jackie and Tom moved back to Lisle specifically because of the incredible way this community and the school supported and loved Sassy. Now, it is our turn to wrap our arms around them.
How Your Donation Helps
Right now, Jackie and Tom need the time and space to process this devastating loss and grieve their daughter. With summer break here, we want to lift one major burden off their shoulders.
Our primary goal is to raise funds to hire a reliable babysitter to care for Sassy's three younger siblings during the summer break. This ensures the children are safe and supported, giving Jackie and Tom the vital breathing room they need to mourn and focus on healing together.
If we exceed our initial fundraising goal, additional funds will go directly toward:
- DoorDash gift cards to help take the burden of cooking off the family's plate.
- Family grief counseling to provide professional support and healing resources for Jackie, Tom, and the children as they navigate this unimaginable road ahead.
Other Ways to Support
- Every single dollar counts and will go directly toward supporting the family.
If you are unable to donate at this time, or if you would like to help in other ways, please consider:
- Signing up to provide food: We have set up a Sign-Up Genius with a list of favorite foods for Sassy's siblings. We are focusing on simple, easy-to-prepare items that the kids can make at home to help keep the household moving smoothly.
- Sharing this link with your network, coworkers, and community groups.
- Keeping Jackie, Tom, Sassy’s siblings, and all of her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and for keeping Sassy’s beautiful, bright memory alive.
Organizer and beneficiary
Celina Phipps
Beneficiary