Amanda Pearson

Hi, I'm Rene Pearson, Mandi's oldest sister.

As hundreds of you have told us these last few days, Mandi was a shining light in every life she entered. She was a loving, accepting, forgiving soul with an army of friends and family who loved her, and she loved us back -- fiercely. She would do anything for us, even if it meant sacrificing her own energy, resources and health.

Mandi's greatest joy was being a mother to Taylor, Logan, and Elliott, a step-mother to Edwin and Matthew, and an auntie to not only our kids, but her friends' children, as well. She cared deeply for people, animals, and issues surrounding social justice.

In the 13+ years Mandi has lived with primary progressive MS, she's fought like a champ to maintain her independence, continue working at the job she loved with Kaiser, and raise her youngest son, Elliott, on her own.

Last year Mandi was forced to resign from Kaiser, and walked away from 22+ years of retirement earnings and a life insurance policy that she could not afford to maintain without an income. She was in the process of applying for disability benefits, but she left this earth before they could be approved.

Mandi leaves behind 16-year-old Elliott and her young adult children, Taylor and Logan. We are raising funds to help pay for the immediate expenses of laying their mother to rest and start a trust fund to support Elliott through high school and beyond. He does not receive child support and will live with his cousin, Christopher with the support of his siblings and extended family.

Thank you for loving our sister, mother, daughter, friend. And thank you for walking with our family through this most difficult time. We feel your love and know how much Mandi loved each one of you. Please help us honor her legacy of selflessness by giving whatever you can.

With gratitude,

The Pearson Family