Hello, I will keep my introduction short. My name is Elliott Yamane and I am raising funds to help with both funeral and medical expenses, for a family who has always cared for and considered me as one of their own; the Piper family. When I was four years old, my parents signed me up for classes at the same karate school that the two youngest of the Piper clan, Kevin and Cody Piper, trained at. I have been best friends with these two since then, for 25+ years, and they are like brothers to me.

In a sudden and indescribably tragic turn of events, Kevin and Cody lost both their Grandmother Ruth as well as their Aunt Wendy within a few weeks of one another. Grandma passed away in the hospital on April 29th, just shy of two weeks before Mother’s Day. Wendy passed away in their home on May 15th, the day after Mother’s Day. Their families world has been completely shattered in the matter of a month. I loved Ruth like she was my grandma and I thought of Wendy as a second mother. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and the grief my two best friends and their family are experiencing right now. I know nothing I can do will make the pain of reality go away, but I have NEVER known two women more deserving of a celebration of life.

I can close my eyes and still walk through their house even after having not been there for 5 or more years. Grandma would always be sitting in her chair in the Southeast corner of the front room. Imagine the most Samoan looking woman you can, multiply that by 5, and you have Grandma Ruth. She was tough as nails, but she loved deeply and genuinely. She had a care free sense of humor and Mario Party skills beyond that of any normal 70 year old human. She was the only person, possibly in the world, who I could say my Fathers dumb Polynesian jokes to and would laugh. She would smile at me as I walked through the door and ask me how my day was without fail. Kevin and Cody would always tell me that she would ask how I was doing or how my parents were, even years since having last seen her. She loved me like I was her own grandson.

The next person in that front room who always sat in her spot on the right side of the couch, was Wendy. For those who were lucky enough to have known her; she needs no introduction. We often hear people say that ‘so and so is such a caring person’ or that ‘so and so has a heart of gold’. You can ask anyone who knew her, if there was ever an angel that walked this earth… it was Wendy. She was incredible and she touched the lives of so many people from all walks of life. She held a special place in our hearts, a woman who may not have been bound by blood but connected with everyone through love, care, and unwavering support.

Words alone cannot capture the depth of my gratitude for the impact she had on my life. She was more than just my friends aunt, more than just a confidant—she was like a second mother to me. She had this presence about her that was nurturing, her love was boundless, and she filled so many peoples hearts with joy. She was always the first to celebrate anybody’s achievements and her love knew no boundaries. She extended her affection to everyone she encountered, embracing everyone with open arms and making them feel like a part of her own family. Her heart became a home, a place where you could always find love, acceptance, and a sense of belonging. Her kindness and generosity were unmatched. She was the epitome of selflessness, always putting others before herself. She gave freely and without expectation. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched. She wasn’t just Kevin and Cody’s Aunt Wendy, she was everyone who knew hers Aunt Wendy. As we reflect on her life, let us remember the love that radiated from her every word and action. To my second mom, I say thank you. Thank you for being a guiding light, a source of unwavering support, and a beacon of love in my life. You will be missed more than words can express, but your memory will forever live on in everyone’s hearts.

This family is mourning the passing of two amazing women, they should not need to worry about medical bills or not being able to say a proper goodbye. They should be able to focus on grieving and picking up the pieces. I am starting this fundraiser in hopes that in some small way, myself and anyone else who’s lives were touched by these wonderful women, can give back to a family who has given so much love to the world. Thank you.