Sudden, tragic loss of wife & mother, Lena Burgermeister

My name is Angela McKinnon, and I was Lena’s best friend for 37 years. Together with Tonee Venittelli-Skala and Rosin Donnelly, Lena’s other two closest friends, we are starting this go fund me to help raise funds for Lena’s memorial and extra costs associated with her loss. Lena unfortunately did not have any insurance at the time of her passing.

On August 4, 2024, the Burgermeister family was shaken by the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Lena Burgermeister. Lena was a loving wife to Steve and a devoted mother to their 11-year-old son, Oliver, who is on the autism spectrum.

Her passing has left an unimaginable void in the lives of all those who knew and loved her. As her family navigates this profound grief, we are reaching out to ask for your support in helping them through this incredibly difficult time.

Your Support Will Address the Following Needs

* Funeral home and Transport Expenses: Funds are needed to cover the costs of the funeral home services, transport of Lena’s remains, cremation and other necessary expenses related to registering her death. The total invoice has not been received yet, however, as Lena’s remains were not released immediately, the total cost of this is anticipated to be between $10,000 & $15,000. This process is both financially and emotionally taxing, and your support will ease this burden on the family.

* Memorial and Celebration of Life: Lena was a shining light in the lives of those around her. We want to honor her memory with a fitting celebration of her life, which includes covering travel costs for Lena’s brother, sister-in-law, and nephew to attend her celebration of life.

* Ongoing Care for Lena’s son, Oliver, who is on the autism spectrum and requires continued specialized care.Anticipated Expenses Related to Oliver’s Care:

- Time off work for Steve to provide necessary support, stability, and care in keeping Oliver’s routine as normal as possible.

- Specialized childcare and before/after-school care which Lena had previously provided.

-Travel expenses for Lena’s mother, Maggie, to now come to Vancouver from the Sunshine Coast weekly to help provide childcare to Oliver and respite for Steve.

- additional respite workers and behavioural intervention support ongoing.

- Specialized psychological and trauma support for Oliver related to the sudden passing of his mother.

* Psychological Support for her husband Steve and her mother Maggie. The emotional toll of Lena’s passing is immense. Maggie and Steve may require psychological, and trauma counselling, related to the suddenness of Lena’s death and their role in providing initial aid. Psychologist sessions are $200 per session out of pocket and not covered through extended health plans.

Why Your Contribution Matters

Grief is a powerful and multifaceted experience. Lena was a bright light whose loss has left a deep wound in all of our hearts. Supporting a child with autism while dealing with the loss of a partner brings an overwhelming challenge for Steve. Your contribution will not only help cover immediate financial needs but also provide ongoing support as the family adjusts to losing their beloved wife, mother, and daughter. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in helping Steve, Oliver, and Maggie navigate their new reality.

Thank you for your generosity and for standing by the Burgermeister family during this time of profound loss. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and support.

With tremendous gratitude,

Angela, Roisin and Tonee on behalf of the Burgermeister family.