In Memory of Mel Jeanne Koziar
Donation protected
If anything is more heartbreaking than finding out your sister is in the ICU in organ failure, it’s talking with her son, my nephew, over 700 miles away, where he and his mother moved just two months ago, while we’re all on lockdown and so can’t travel easily, and have him tell you, he’s sad and heartbroken because his mom is dying, followed by a cautious, “If I ask Grandma Judi or Auntie Vicki if I can live with them, do you think they’ll say yes?”
If you know my sister, Melanie, you know she’s had a hard life, and so Zachary’s life has been difficult, too. But, you also know that she loved Zachary immensely. Unfortunately, Melanie left behind no money to help offset her funeral expenses, or for her son Zachary, and so this gofundme is to help pay for Melanie’s funeral expenses, and for Zach’s future, so he may move in with family members who want to provide a stable home for him now that his mom has died.
A little more about Zachary, who is now sixteen. He is on the autism spectrum, and has received occupational and behavioral therapy off and on throughout his life, though not as constant as he should have. Sometimes the system is very difficult to navigate. Here’s an older photo of him, which is one of my favorite photos because he’s just being Zach, and playing with his string while dancing.
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UPDATE (2020-05-25)
My family and I are very grateful for the warmth and support being shown us. It’s more than I can articulate, so I will simply say, “thank you.”
Zachary is scheduled to arrive in LA tomorrow, and is very excited to see his family, especially his cousins.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE (2020-06-03)
Zachary arrived safely in LA last Monday evening (5/25). It was a day before we expected because Zach wanted to surprise us. While he is still sad about his mom, he is also settling in well, and is happy to be with his family.
Melanie’s obituary was posted online and in the print Gilroy Dispatch .
Thank you all for your support. Take care and stay safe.
If you know my sister, Melanie, you know she’s had a hard life, and so Zachary’s life has been difficult, too. But, you also know that she loved Zachary immensely. Unfortunately, Melanie left behind no money to help offset her funeral expenses, or for her son Zachary, and so this gofundme is to help pay for Melanie’s funeral expenses, and for Zach’s future, so he may move in with family members who want to provide a stable home for him now that his mom has died.
A little more about Zachary, who is now sixteen. He is on the autism spectrum, and has received occupational and behavioral therapy off and on throughout his life, though not as constant as he should have. Sometimes the system is very difficult to navigate. Here’s an older photo of him, which is one of my favorite photos because he’s just being Zach, and playing with his string while dancing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE (2020-05-25)
My family and I are very grateful for the warmth and support being shown us. It’s more than I can articulate, so I will simply say, “thank you.”
Zachary is scheduled to arrive in LA tomorrow, and is very excited to see his family, especially his cousins.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE (2020-06-03)
Zachary arrived safely in LA last Monday evening (5/25). It was a day before we expected because Zach wanted to surprise us. While he is still sad about his mom, he is also settling in well, and is happy to be with his family.
Melanie’s obituary was posted online and in the print Gilroy Dispatch .
Thank you all for your support. Take care and stay safe.
Organizer
Kat Koziar
Organizer
Riverside, CA