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Farewell Buddy...

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WOW!  The pressure of writing a gofundme story after reading all of the posts on Facebook is REALLY intimidating!  So many amazing stories, so many eloquent posts, so many thoughtful, funny, personal tributes are overwhelming.  I’m not even going to try and be the wittiest person in the room (I know, how could I even be related to Jess?).

For me, one of her two sisters, the past two days have been a whirlwind.  I feel like the very fragile bubble I’ve been living in has been popped, and I’ve been flailing around just trying do do what needs to be done, being strong for Jess, for Maria, and for myself.  

This morning, I find myself asking WWJD (what would Jess do)?  She would have found that comment really funny!

~ I know she would want me to be with Maria and help her get through this awful time.  #Check!  I wouldnt be anywhere else and I’m honored to be the one to do it.  
~ I know she wouldn’t want Maria to cry.  #checkfail.  I’m letting her cry whenever she wants!  
~ Lastly, I know she would want one hell of a farewell celebration, so we’re going to give her one!  #checkcoming

In planning this extravaganza, Maria and I have been through photos of Jess and it’s been pretty emotional.  We’re laughing at her familiar grinning face, we’re proud of her pride, we’re full of love for the wife, woman, friend, sister, singer, comedienne, artist, activist, karaoke afficianado, professional lesbian, bow-tie wearing, Star Wars loving, animal rescuing, incredible human being that she was!

We are planning her farewell in true Jessica fashion.   We’re going to do everything we can to make her proud and I think we will.  We want everyone who wants to be there, to be there.  And that’s a lot of people.  But that’s what she would have wanted.  So that’s what we’re doing.

So now is the hard part.  The ask.  But I can ask because I know people want to help.   Help us give her one hell of a farewell celebration.  Everyone is invited, everyone is encouraged to be there.  The more the merrier!

Please join us to celebrate Jess with us at the Mankato Civic Center, Grand Hall at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 13th, 2019.

THANK YOU ALL!  Thank you for being friends, colleagues, and fans of my sister.  Thank you for allowing her to be who she was and giving her the support to accomplish so much incredible work.  And thank you to those of you who are carrying on her legacy.  

*Any donation is appreciated and this is definitely what she would want.  The flowers we have already received are beautiful, the endless supply of food has been a huge help, the stream of friends who have been by our side to support us is immeasurable!  But the 700+ people we are expecting to attend the celebration is getting pricey.  Any additional funds recieved will be used to offset the large number of medical expenses from the past several months.  Anything beyond that will be donated towards one of the many charity organizations Jess so passionately believed in.  
#farewellbuddy
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $25 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Tiffany Gannon
Organizer
Mankato, MN

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