My name is Jessica Krikorian and I am the Neice of John Krikorian who passed away from cancer at the age of 59 on September 3rd, 2025. The purpose of this fundraiser is to honor my Uncle John by creating a memorial fund in his name for his sweet 4 year old neighbor, Fiona, who made a huge difference in his life. All proceeds will be put into an investment account for her to use for college (or the like) when she turns 18 as a final gift from John to this little girl who made his days so much brighter and gave him so much love and strength as he battled with terminal cancer.

In lieu of flowers or a donation to a specific charity, our family believes that John would want any kind of generosity to benefit Fiona and be able to help make a lasting impact on her life, just as she did for him.

My uncle John was not married and didn’t have any kids of his own, he didn’t mind being alone, most of the time he preferred it. This was until Fiona moved in across the street and stole his heart. She read books with him, brought him stuffed animals to help him feel better and continuously showed up unannounced, walking over from the across the street looking for cookies or snacks. Uncle John didn’t dare disappoint her and learned quickly to make sure he had something on hand.

She opened his heart in a way that only very special 4 year old girls can. She came to visit him every day, sometimes twice a day. All through chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, good days, bad days, John fought and Fiona cheered him on the whole way. On his toughest days, she was the only one who could get a smile out of him.

Unfortunately, John’s cancer (small cell carcinoma) does not have a cure. He was able to live two years fighting like a champ when he was told it would likely be less than 6 months. John knew that every day was a gift. We believe that Fiona and her wonderful family who encouraged this bond and showed up for him every day were also a gift. One that we couldn’t have ever expected and cannot properly express our gratitude for.

Fiona’s mom, Althea, made the only smoothies in the world that my uncle would drink and once she knew that, she had one for him every morning, without fail. This is in addition to the dinners, the fresh bread, the cookies and all of the love that they brought him every time they walked through his door. The selflessness they portrayed day after day was unimaginable, indescribable and truly beautiful to be a part of.

He was so incredibly grateful to them both (as are we) and he told me all the time. We believe the only thing he would want after his passing is something to benefit her and all the joy and meaning she brought to his life. Any donations will be for that sole purpose.

Cancer is a truly awful disease and having someone to help lesson the mental burden even a little bit is an enormous gift to have been given and we are just so grateful for Althea & her Husband Jon, for sharing their amazing little girl with our family, all while knowing that it was going to eventually come to an end. Fiona’s last words to him just hours before his passing, “I LOVE YOU UNCLE JOHN”. We know he felt the same.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any and all of your support. He will be greatly missed but his legacy lives on through the people and the things he left behind.