For those of you who knew Jana Mackey, information about her funeral

[Mabus]

Jana was murdered July 3. Police tracked down her boyfriend in New Jersey and he hanged himself. Jana was an incredibly strong woman, the an emphasis on "incredible", who will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Her death not only has a profound effect on her family and friends but also has one the activist, advocate and political communities.

From a friend who also knew Jana.

Jana's funeral will take place at Liberty Hall in Lawrence at 2pm on Wednesday, July 9th and will be followed by a celebration of Jana's life at the Replay Lounge beginning at 8pm. Donations will be taken at the door and given to one of the many funds created in her name.

It has been confirmed that Fito was caught last night in New Jersey and arrested; sometime in the night he did hang himself. We are all so grateful to have some closure and are happy that there won't be a trial in which we have to relive this horror.

Again, I cannot express enough gratitude for the love and support that we have all received in the past couple of days. It's certainly something that none of us can believe we are living through. We have to wait for a few things to be completed before we can schedule the funeral; I will post the information as soon as possible.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please contribute to:

Jana Mackey Support for Public Advocacy Fund
c/o Dean of Law
Green Hall
1535 W. 15th St.
Lawrence, KS 66045

There has been an outpouring of support from friends and other members of the Lawrence community. We appreciate every word of kindness and every tear. Thank you and we will keep you updated with any information concerning events to celebrate Jana's life.

http://www.law.ku.edu/events/jana_mackey.shtml

[MuseRider]

1. Hi Mabus

I was planning on going, not sure I will make it now since we had a death in the family.

KEC is going to have some presence there and we are collecting money to donate to the advocacy fund under the KEC name since she had worked with us for a while and so many of us knew her.

This has been very hard, she was an amazing young woman and a friend to all.

[Mabus]

2. It's just starting to catch up to me

I've been in tears off and on since yesterday.

The hard part hasn't even begun. Wait until something needs to be done or someone needs adovcate, the one they could rely on is now gone. Because Jana's life was cut short, there were will be a lot of people who won't have the help they will need. It is such a lost to all the communities she touched.

[MuseRider]

3. I understand.

She was pretty special. It is so sad and like you it is hitting me later than I thought it would. The first few days I was just stunned.

[Mabus]

4. Stunned and not really accepting it

The distance has made it less real. It wasn't until I got the funeral and the reception notice that it started to seem real. Her death has been on my mind. It feels like something ripped through my heart. I can't be at the funeral or the Replay Lounge but I can go forward and work just a little harder on the things that matter. Her strength and her commitment are inspiring me to make the more out of my life.

[MuseRider]

5. So her life

mattered and that is what we all wish for. She will live on. Still, it hurts.

Take care.