On December 30th, our dear friend Tony Nusret was found dead in our home. She was a light to so many, kind and wise, clever and funny, a talented writer and a compassionate healer. She was also my roommate and one of my closest friends. Her loss has been devastating to me and the other housemates.

I’m asking for help covering Tony’s portion of rent and a few unexpected expenses that followed her passing. I want to be transparent about what that support would go toward, while also offering a content warning for those who may need it.

This has been an especially difficult time financially. The week before Tony passed, I had paid out of pocket to have a new furnace installed and the chimney sealed — a necessary but costly repair that wiped out most of my savings. I’m also currently in my off-season for work, and I don’t expect steady income again until March.

What we’re asking for support with:

We are not ready to fill Tony’s room yet. It feels too soon to bring a new person into the household, and we want time to grieve, properly vet someone, and make the room livable again. Right now, it simply isn’t ready. Her rent was 600, and I charge 60$ flat for utilities per tenant. Id like to cover this month and next.

Content Warning: The following section mentions biohazard cleanup and its aftermath.

After Tony passed, we had to bring in a biohazard cleanup crew. One of our housemates previously worked in that field and was able to call in a favor, which saved us thousands of dollars. That said, it was still difficult and unpleasant work, and I made sure they were tipped appropriately.

The favor covered only part of the cleanup. Because Tony wasn’t found for several days, we’ve been dealing with lingering effects that required extensive additional cleaning such as clearing the room and mitigating the smell of decomposition. This process has been emotionally and physically exhausting.

Unfortunately, this situation also significantly worsened an existing rodent issue in the house. We opened the window to let the smell out and inadvertently invited more to the house. What was maybe a rat/mouse every few weeks turned into one new one in the traps almost every day, and in the first few days, multiple. My cat has certainly gotten her exercise in.

I've been doing my best to address the issue myself by sealing holes, stapling mesh, pouring concrete, and troubleshooting entry points — but I’m not a professional, and it’s been a slow process of elimination. If it doesn’t resolve soon, I’ll need to hire professional mitigation. The first quote I received was around $2,000, and I’m continuing to shop around while doing what I can on my own.

What the funds will help cover:

$1,200 — Tony’s portion of rent for two months

$120 — Utilities for two months

$1500 — Rodent mitigation and necessary repairs

Any support, whether through donations or sharing this fundraiser, would mean more than I can express. This help would give us breathing room to grieve, to stabilize our home, and to honor Tony without being forced into rushed decisions during an already painful time.

Thank you for holding space for us, and for remembering Tony with love.