Assist Amiia's sista-friends with end of life expenses

Dianne Parker is organizing this fundraiser.

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This fundraiser is organized by Dianne Parker. I'm one of a handful of Billings, Montana friends who was with Amiia until the very end of her life, as she was taken off life support after a traumatic brain injury on Halloween, October 31, 2024.

After an emotional honor/donor walk, draped in an American flag - fitting for our veteran friend, Amiia gave her last gift on earth by giving life to two humans in need via organ donation. Additionally, she donated her heart for research.

This strong woman stood by her sista friends (she really was like a sister to us) no matter what. We love and miss her very much. The past week+ has been a blur of emotions and logistics for anyone who knew her and loved her, from what happened, to why, to tough decisions like what to do with her belongings, her dog...and the very toughest decision made by her 18-year-old son to take her off life support after she was declared to have zero brain activity after 4 tough days in ICU.

Amiia listed me (Dianne) and her son Mal as the two people to collect her personal belongings and her dog Lil if something were to ever happen to her. Mal is out of the country related to family military commitments in Europe, and unable to assist in the on-the-ground logistics in Montana. We sista-friends from Montana to the east coast are doing our best to take on logistics of a life left behind - with no family of hers in town.

This has created very unexpected expenses from hiring movers, to renting a large storage unit, dog ownership expenses and anticipated expenses related to organizing a celebration of life service, likely this summer when her son Mal can return from Europe to spread her ashes. We are also in contact with her son Michael.

Amiia Coffey was the name she went by. Some knew her as her legal name Rebecca Ferris. However you know Amiia or her sista-friends, we would truly appreciate any help you could provide financially as the expenses are now into the 1000's and will continue to build. (I'm a single mom with two young kids and recently spent $1500 for movers & moving supplies alone to help me and another sista-friend Shelley box and move her belongings to storage to avoid additional housing expenses.)

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Amiia had a traumatic brain injury Monday morning we believe. Her manager at Walgreens said she reported to work at 2pm mentioning she hit her head earlier in the day. No further details. At 4pm, Mal got a call that she was being rushed by ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital. She was unresponsive, in fact, she was turned in as a Jane Doe as there was confusion about her name and had no ID on her, etc. She was difficult to locate, but we found her Tuesday at 11am in ICU hooked up to life support and she had some brain activity, but not much. She could move her body slightly and "react" when new people walked in the room, or when a story was being told, or questions asked, etc. She could not open her eyes, speak, move, etc.

The medical professionals rushed her to brain surgery immediately Monday afternoon to try and save her life, but the head injury led to an internal brain bleed she did not know she had, cutting off oxygen. Her manager at Walgreens says she walked to the pharmacist and asked, "What are the signs of a concussion?" They could tell she was dizzy and got her seated. She rested her head on her hands crossed in front of her on the pharmacy counter and never sat up. She was from that point on, unresponsive.

A true blessing, we believe somehow she heard us all say our goodbyes as we knew the end was near. Her son Mal was able to say goodbye on the phone and I was able to read several goodbyes to her from many of you as well.

LIL - DOG

I am keeping Lil as she had been to my house, was instantly comfortable and my kids love her! She is a sweet girl. She is a 6-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer - a hunting dog. Come say hi! Take her hunting?

We already miss Amiia dearly. Amiia was a light to the world and a ball of fire all at the same time. Her light continues to shine brightly via the two lives she saved. Thank you for considering a donation...sincerely Amiia's sista-friends,

Dianne, Shelley, Christine, Molly, Stephanie

(Mal's family in Billings - Amiia's ex-in-laws have been wonderful in figuring out logistics/expenses of cremation, etc. Thank you to everyone involved in this unexpected happening. I likely forgot someone or something here - if so it is only because I'm exhausted. Please let me know and I'll gladly make updates!)