Help Iyanna's Family with Funeral Expenses

Quiana Gilkes is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Tamara Gilkes.

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Hello, my name is Tamara Gilkes, the mother of our now Angel, Iyanna Gilkes-Leslie. Let me first say thank you for visiting this page in memory of Iyanna. All donations collected will directly support her medical and funeral expenses as well as cost associated with bereavement.

It is with a broken heart that I have to bury my 22-year-old daughter, Iyanna Gilkes-Leslie; after being admitted into the hospital for complications with breathing. She was an amazing and very accomplished daughter, sister, cousin, and awesome friend to many.

Iyanna was a very accomplished young lady with a bright future. As a little girl, she attended Sunday school and played the steel pan. She was also on her high school's softball team. Iyanna loved to dance and joined Konstruction Dance Company in 2016. Once graduating high school, Iyanna went to Penn State University to pursue her dreams of becoming a child therapist. On September 6th, 2023, she took and passed the exam to become a Registered Behavioral Technician. On May 5, 2024, she graduated from Penn State University with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Once securing a job as a behavioral technician, she decided she wanted to reach more young ones and decided to go for a job in an elementary school. August 5, 2024, was her first day as a Behavioral Interventionist in the Dekalb Co. elementary school system in Georgia. Later that evening, she felt shortness of breath and did a few at-home treatments. Within a few minutes, she continued to struggle with her breathing and was taken to the ER.

Along with the emotional pain and stress, it has also created a financial burden. We as a family are humbly asking for donations to help offset the costs associated with Iyanna’s funeral and medical expenses as we adjust to life without the vibrant and beautiful person Iyanna once was.

We are super overwhelmed by the shock of Iyanna no longer being with us and very grateful for the love and support we have received thus far. Please accept our heartfelt thank you during this time.