Jenny's cause

Hello everyone who is taking the time to read my story. My name is Alayna Hill. My mother, Jenny, passed away on January 13, 2025, the day before her birthday. Our relationship was estranged. Due to her mental health, my brother and I were placed into the state’s custody when I was around the age of 8. I got adopted, and those adoptive parents at the time did not allow me to keep in touch with my mother. Over time, I saw her again, and she had definitely gotten worse.

I wish everyone got to know the Jenny that I knew before the hurt took over her. The Jenny who would make me laugh until my stomach hurt, or who would let me occasionally miss school to spend the day with her. The Jenny who let me play in her makeup. They Jenny who loved her children so much. I hate that I missed a lot of things with her. I didn't get to tell her about my girl drama, or when the boys broke my heart. Or when I found the guy who helped me heal. Or when I have a bad day at work, and I can't call to rant about it during lunch.

I wanted to be in her life more, but at the time I was navigating my life at 19 with no familial support, which was quite difficult. Luckily, I had great friends. I kept in contact with my brother and my grandma, and they updated me about my mother. I always prayed for her. I started working at CVS in 2022. They eventually recruited me to work in the pharmacy, which I enjoyed. I learned so much, and I even considered getting in touch with my mom to maybe help her manage medications since she wasn't always compliant. I just didn't think that I was quite ready to see her.

I got an update from my brother that my mother was in jail. She was in the mental hospital and had an altercation with a worker. I reached out to the jail to set up visitation, but they said the inmate had to initiate the addition to the visitor list. I never heard anything back.

That was 2 months back, and I found out about her passing, alone in her cell. I was not expecting to be handling all of these arrangements. But I did prepare myself for that call, ever since I was a young girl. I knew my mother was sick, but I thought I had more time. More time to prepare myself mentally to help her, especially if she didn't want it.

A few weeks ago, I was speaking to a coworker. They had lost someone, and I told them, "You know that's the one emotion I don't have experience in. But I can't imagine it's easy." Well, it's definitely conflicting. As I sit here and write this, the thing I feel the worst about is that she was alone.

The total cost of cremation would be around $2,300, which is the cheapest option. I do not have that money upfront. I can do the fundraiser, but if the full goal isn't met, I would have to cover the rest of the money and the state could still take her as a pauper. I would like her to be remembered. Unfortunately, a memorial would be too much, but at least with the cremation, we still have some of her.

Everything from GoFundMe will go directly to the cost of cremation. You can also go to the funeral home, and or call to give payments for donations where it will 100% go towards the cremation. Samart Funeral Home in Bayou Blue is also starting a fundraiser which 96% of those proceeds will go towards the cremation. The other 4% will go to a third party. If you are still reading this, thank you. And thank you to anyone who chooses to help. Even if you couldn't help, thanks for reading Jenny's and my story.