Kailyn Turner was so much more than her struggle. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a bright light to everyone lucky enough to know her. She had a smile that could change the mood of a room and a heart that cared deeply for others. At just 26 years old, we lost her after a long and painful battle with anorexia.

Her parents, Ed and Karen, are now facing the heartbreaking task of saying goodbye while also carrying the weight of funeral costs—things like the memorial service, transportation, and headstone. With the service planned for this Saturday, our hope is to come together as a community to ease this burden so her family can focus on celebrating her life and all the love she gave.

Kailyn’s struggle with anorexia began when she was a teenager. She spent years moving through treatment facilities across the country, doing her best to keep fighting. Even when she didn’t share the full weight of what she was going through, those closest to her saw the courage it took to keep going. To honor her memory, any funds remaining after funeral expenses will be donated to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), helping other families get access to the care and support they need.

No donation is too small, and even simply sharing this page makes a difference. Thank you for helping us honor Kailyn’s life in a way that reflects her kindness, her strength, and the light she brought to us all.

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On a personal note, I just want to share how much she meant to me. Kailyn wasn’t just one of my best friends — she was someone who made the world feel so much brighter. She was one of my greatest encouragers and probably the most intentional and thoughtful friend I have ever had. Her love was persistent, abundant, and consistent. I have heaps of letters from her over the past decade that are so full of love and light despite all the heaviness I knew she was carrying inside. To have a heart as big as hers comes at a cost. Despite having so much love and light to pour unto those around her, she carried so much sorrow and faced so many of her own demons. I will forever regret my inability to pull her out of all the inner battles she was facing and I know this feeling will be felt by other family and friends. This is the feeling that aches our hearts and leaves us wondering what we could've done differently. The truth is, I don't think we could have done anything differently. Mental health and eating disorders are so incomprehensible, disruptive, and vile. When I reflect on Kailyn and who she was at her core, she was the most selfless, pure, and radiant soul I have ever met. At her best, all she did was smile and dance like nobody was watching. She laughed and sang and contained so much joy — it was contagious. She spoke so much life and hope over the people around her... I only wish she could've felt it for herself.

First most, I want to see these funds raised to lighten the unfathomable burden that is already being felt by the Turner family. I can remember almost ten years ago being in high school with Kailyn and her dad and mom were the most joyous and sweet people I knew — they took me in as their own. These two loved Kailyn more than a set of parents could ever love a child and I think Kailyn knew that until her very last day. I encourage you to consider donating whatever you can to help ease the unbearable toll that is being taken on her family. My hope is that we can raise enough funds to at least cover the cost of Kailyn's memorial service so that Ed and Karen can spend this Saturday unburdened by financial stress, so they may simply celebrate and recount the beautiful life their daughter led. Even more, my goal is to see us reach $15,000 so that whatever is left over can be used to push back against the challenges of mental illness and eating disorders. There’s nothing more painful than watching eating disorders and mental health struggles strip someone of their joy and the life they deserve. I would give anything for Kailyn to be able to see and believe that she was so much more than her ED. She was luminous in spirit, quick with laughter, endlessly thoughtful, and boundlessly loving. She didn’t need to be anything more than exactly who she was. With whatever is left over, we hope to donate to NEDA (the National Eating Disorders Association). I can't imagine a greater way to honor Kailyn than by supporting other's who are fighting a similar fight.

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Kale, you were the best friend I could've ever wished for and I will forever feel an ache in my heart since you left. Your absence will never go unnoticed. Your love overwhelmed me in the best of ways. I will keep your cards and all your letters in my dusty old shoe box, rereading them anytime I need to feel love and light — you always had a way of doing that. You have no idea how much comfort your handwriting brings me.

Earlier today Payton sent me this compilation video of you dancing and I can't stop watching it and I can't stop crying. You lit up our worlds and we will miss you more than the whole sky.

You were my sunshine, I love you Kailyn.