The Smith Family

Hi, this is Helga, little sister to Torin, and the daughter of Carol Woods and Michael Smith.

I am here to humbly ask for support from our family and friends- for the recent deaths of our brother, our mom, and dad.

It feels unspeakable to say, but we lost our brother, Torin Michael Blue Sky Smith to complications due to liver and kidney failure on June 24th 2023. He was only 40 years old. Torin was seriously ill in the hospital just shy of one week, when his body abruptly succumbed to his illness. He was surrounded by all of his siblings, their partners, and his best friend when he passed on to the next plane.

We are still in shock at this unexpected loss. And it is only compounded by the recent deaths of our mother, Carol Ann and our father, Mike in April of 2022.

“Alcoholism is a disease,” the doctor reminded us in the ICU room as we surrounded our brother, filled with anguish, tears, fury, regret, grief, disbelief. “Although society does not recognize this, only about 10% of alcoholism is due to personal choices, the rest is disease.” These words are echoing in my head as I try to make sense of this loss and go forward.

If you are able to help with any donation, thank you. The number $6000 is a rough estimate of cost of needs for our brother’s remains and his remaining family. I would love to fundraise enough to be able to pay for his cremation, lodging, and airplane tickets for family to gather together in memory in the next few months.

If you knew Torin there is no need for me to explain him- if you didn’t I’m afraid I can only give you a rough draft. He was hilarious, bright, clever, dark, wry, witty, strong, soft, absurd, and one of a kind. Most of his friends he has kept since childhood. He was himself no matter what.

If you are not able to donate, no worries- however please consider emailing me a memory, however brief or detailed, of how you knew Torin.

Cremation and fees:$1165

Room and board for family ( appx 8): $2,331

$2500 airplane tickets for travel

Thank you.