Raising Funds to Help with Funeral for Nyack 17-Year-Old

NYACK, NY — An online fundraising effort to help Kailana Koether's family cover funeral expenses for the 17-year-old who died the morning of her high-school graduation has brought in $9,622 from 162 people in two days. The goal of the GoFundMe page is $15,000.

"Kailana taught this world what it means to live every moment to the fullest, and her joy and positivity made the lives of everyone around her more fulfilling," said her boyfriend, Karl McGinnis, on the GoFundMe page. "For those unable to attend her vigil that tragic evening I have provided my short story from the evening below. But before you read it, either for the first or the hundredth time, please make a contibution to this fundraiser, in hopes of softening the financial blows that accompany death."

He and people who commented and contributed talked about the joy Koether brought to others.

He told The Journal News that any extra money would be donated to animal-welfare charities.

The Upper Nyack resident died the morning she was supposed graduate from Nyack High School. Graduation was postponed one day and last night the high school community held a candlelight vigil instead. Police are investigating her death.

SEE:

• Cops Are Investigating 17-Year-Old's Death In Upper Nyack
  
• Nyack High School Graduation Postponed Over Student's Death