Family With Local Roots Rocked By Loss: 'My Heart Is Shattered'

NORTH FORK, NY — When graduates of Greenport High School come from near and far to attend all-class reunions, sharing laughter, memories and smiles, they also thank TK Krumenacker, instrumental in organizing the gatherings.

And now, in an unthinkable turn of events, the many whose lives he's touched are coming together to help Krumenacker in his darkest hour: His daughter Taylor, who was just 31 and lived in Florida, died suddenly on December 21, leaving behind a daughter, 11, and son, 9, as well as her father, mother Tina, sister Tiffany, and other broken-hearted family members and friends.

A GoFundMe, "Embrace and Support Brother TK Krumenacker," was created by Gregory Tammany to help during the family's time of need.

"As you can imagine, the weight of all of this is on Brother TK," he wrote. "He is beyond devastated. As a parent, he has the heartbreaking task of coordinating his daughter's funeral and comforting Taylor’s children who have been deeply shaken by the loss of their mother."

Reflecting on his daughter, TK told Patch: "Taylor knew our mantra, 'Win them over with kindness.' She would mention people in her life — at school, jobs, and others — and say, at first, they were tough on her. Probably because of her looks — but once they saw and experienced her inner beauty, they loved her. She would say, 'Dad, I did as you always say, 'Win them over with kindness.'"

TK added: "My Taylor, I promise you, with God, it is not good-bye, but see you later in the celestial heaven. Love, Dad. "

Taylor's sister Tiffany also shared memories of her beloved sister. Tiffany said she feels lost since the unimaginable changed her family's life forever.

"My sister," she said. "It’s been a week and I still can’t bear to accept the reality that you’re gone. My heart is shattered into pieces and I can’t wrap my brain around it. I feel like half of my soul has been ripped away from me. This pain is unreal."

Tiffany added that she wishes she had done something more. "I keep thinking about all of the missed opportunities, of the things that might have made the difference. I’d literally give anything to go back and just hold you through it all. All of the pain and all of the suffering."

Life is bleak now, Tiffany wrote. "I don’t want to enjoy any of the things in life now, not without you. It just doesn’t seem fair. You should be here. You should be enjoying life with me, smiling and laughing with me. But you’re gone and there are no smiles to be seen. I don’t want to do it without you, sis. I don’t know if I can. There’s just no more sunshine without you here."

Tiffany added: "I know how much you loved me, my sister. I hope you know how much I love you, how much you mean to me. I’m thinking about you in every moment, in everything that I do. I see your beautiful face, and I hear your laughter. Please watch over me, sister. I’m going to need you forever."

TK, Tammany wrote, "needs support from all of us. Let us lift some of his burdens, lighten his grief and embrace him as best we can to help him through the tough times ahead. Dig deep and help a brother out. It's what we do. Rest in peace, Taylor Krumenacker. God, please embrace Taylor — and bless and protect the Krumenacker family."

A service will be held on Saturday, January 22 for Taylor Elizabeth Krumenacker at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church, located at 3300A S. Seacrest Blvd in Boynton Beach, FL, 33435.

Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and then, spend time in the church all, where an open mic will be available for all to share memories and thoughts.

Food will be served.

The service will also be streamed online.

There will be a total of two church memorial services, in upstate and downstate Florida, TK said.

After the funeral expenses are paid, TK said he wants to be able to do something to help his grandchildren through the coming months and years without their mother.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.