Help Memorialize Jillian and Support Matthew

Recovery Aid and Memorial Fund After Tragic Death for Matthew Van Boven and Feral Farm

I have started this fundraiser for my friend Matthew Van Boven, he has given so much love, education, and nut trees to the Upper Skagit land through Feral Farm. Now is an opportunity for us to give back. 

On Friday, August 9th, 2024 Jillian Whitney Van Boven was murdered along with her boyfriend Taylor and his mom Erin which was followed by a devastating house fire in Rockport, WA. Jillian was 18 years old and just graduated from high school this year. She was a lively, strong-willed, resilient, colorful, and bright spirit! Growing up you could find her galloping as a horse through the forest and swimming across the Skagit river. She resided between both Ravenstar Farm with her mother and with her father, Matthew Van Boven in his off-grid food forest where Matt and Jillian dreamt of continuing projects with each other at feral farm.

The turn of these enormously tragic events has left Matt, his community, and his families heart broken. Recovering from and moving through this unimaginable tragedy will take a lot of time and resources.

In Matthew’s time of need, we are hoping to raise funds to help pay for Jillian’s celebration of life expenses, a permanent memorial at feral farm, Matthew’s needs during his time of grief, and any unexpected expenses he may have over his near future. Although Matt personally prefers to continue his minimalistic lifestyle and doesn’t want to ask anything of anyone, as his friends, we hope to help bring him some ease and protection from any unexpected financial burden over the next year while processing his grief. Matt proudly lives incredibly frugally to manage and run feral farm and could highly benefit from any donations you can contribute, no matter how much.

We would like to acknowledge that there is another fund raiser for Jillian’s beloved mother, Gurubani Whitney. Because Matt and Gurubani are divorced and living separate lives, we want to make sure they each can contribute to Jillian’s memorial and receive support during this time.

Though these donations cannot replace his daughter, we hope that the love and support of his communities and families will help ease the enormous challenges of losing his one and only daughter.

Please remember Matt and visit him this winter as it will be a hard time without his daughter, the love of his life. 

Thank you so much for any contributions and prayers for the family.

Organized by Shaayi & Aisha Jacquelyn