Our Angels - Their Legacies Live On

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August 14, 1992 – January 25, 2019

Kerri was more than her struggle—she was love, laughter, brilliance, and a life that mattered deeply.

Kerri earned her degree in Forensic Psychology, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She was a gifted writer, a passionate environmentalist, and a fierce advocate for victims’ rights. Compassionate to her core, Kerri was deeply empathetic, endlessly kind, and always ready to help someone in need. She had a way of making people feel seen and understood. She was everyone’s best friend—and proudly, she was mine.

Kerri’s story is one of complexity, courage, and deep humanity. Like so many, she walked a difficult road touched by addiction, stigma, and misunderstanding. She fought courageously to overcome the disease of addiction and experienced recovery along the way. Kerri wanted the world to understand what she knew to be true: addiction is not a moral failing—it is a disease. She believed that awareness, compassion, and understanding could save lives.

On January 25, 2019, at just 26 years old, Kerri’s life was tragically cut short due to fentanyl poisoning—heroin laced with fentanyl and carfentanyl. That year alone, 3,021 lives were lost in New Jersey to opioid overdose. Kerri was only months away from moving to Florida to begin a new chapter with her family.

Kerri’s story is not just one of loss, but of purpose. She reminds us that addiction can affect anyone—no matter how loved, how educated, or how full of promise. Her life mattered. Her voice still echoes in the lives of those she touched and in our continued fight to prevent another senseless loss.

Kerri’s legacy lives on through overdose awareness, recovery advocacy, and the belief that every life is worth fighting for. Because of Kerri, The Dandelion Project speaks names out loud, reduces stigma, and carries forward her message—with love, with strength, and with hope.

A Mother's Tribute - Lisa Bolton

 October 4, 1996 – September 23, 2015

Quinn’s life mattered—and her story deserves to be remembered with care and intention.

Quinn’s story represents the quiet grief so many carry—loss that is deeply personal and often unseen. Quinn passed away due to complications from ANTI-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis, a rare and often misunderstood autoimmune disease that affects the brain. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to severe neurological and psychiatric symptoms, often with sudden onset.

Through Quinn, we honor the importance of remembrance, sibling loss, and the many layers of grief families navigate over time. Her story reminds us that every loss leaves a ripple, and every person deserves to be spoken of with dignity.

Quinn’s legacy is carried forward through memorial spaces, moments of reflection, and the belief that saying a loved one’s name keeps their spirit close.

Because of Quinn, The Dandelion Project makes space for every story—especially the ones carried quietly.

  Born November 7, 1989 

DJ was love in its purest form—a son, a light, and a presence that remains.

DJ’s life continues to be felt in quiet moments and gentle reminders that love does not end when someone is no longer physically present. He is remembered as someone deeply cherished, represented by the angel imagery that symbolizes protection, peace, and continued connection.

DJ’s story is woven into the heart of The Dandelion Project. His memory inspires spaces for reflection, acts of kindness, and opportunities to honor loved ones through legacy-based giving and remembrance. Through DJ, we honor the sacred bond between parent and child and the enduring nature of love.

His legacy is one of tenderness and hope—proof that even in grief, something meaningful can grow.

DJ’s presence lives on in every dandelion carried by the wind, reminding us that love never disappears.