Honoring Stephen: Help Me Say Goodbye and Begin to Heal

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

My name is Gina, and it is with a heart full of sorrow that I share the devastating news that my beloved son, Stephen, passed away unexpectedly on July 7.

There are no words that can capture the grief of losing a child—especially one as loving, funny, and uniquely himself as Stephen. He was my heart, my pride, and my joy. He touched the lives of so many with his generous spirit, his quick wit, and his deep empathy. If you were lucky enough to know him, you know how deeply he loved and how fiercely he cared.

As I begin the difficult journey of navigating life without him, I’m reaching out with this fundraiser to ask for support in covering the costs of his final arrangements and to help me travel to be with family for memorial and celebration of life gatherings. In addition, your support will help provide me with the grief and emotional support services I need as I begin to process this unimaginable loss.

Your kindness will help cover:

• Stephen’s final arrangements (funeral or cremation services)

• My travel expenses to join loved ones and honor Stephen’s life

• Grief counseling and healing support during this painful transition

• Other unexpected expenses related to his passing

If you are able to give—whether it’s $5 or $500—please know that your gift will go directly toward honoring Stephen’s memory and helping me find my footing as I grieve.

I also want to thank each and every one of you who has already reached out with love, shared memories of Stephen, or simply held me in your thoughts. Your kindness is carrying me through the hardest days.

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this campaign with others who may want to support or who were impacted by Stephen’s life.

With love and gratitude,

Gina