Briar Cliff University, located in Sioux City, Iowa, is reeling from the sudden and heartbreaking loss of 21-year-old student Janay Geng-Meier. The university announced her passing and expressed their deep sorrow in a statement released on Monday.
In a poignant memorial held last night, friends, faculty, and fellow students gathered to honor Janay’s memory. Described as a beloved member of the community, Janay’s vibrant personality and infectious laughter left a lasting impact on everyone she encountered.
Janay Geng-Meier Obituary
Janay, originally from Canada, came to the United States to pursue her passion for soccer and was a dedicated member of Briar Cliff University’s women’s soccer team. Head Women’s Soccer Coach Gabrielle Parks, who also coached Janay in college, has taken the initiative to organize a fundraiser on behalf of the university to assist Janay’s grieving family.
Gabrielle Parks shared her sentiments, saying, “The past few days have been a blur, and we are heartbroken with the untimely passing of Janay from a blood clot in her right lung. Janay was loved by many and was the funniest person any of us had ever met. She was a light in all of our lives.”
The fundraiser aims to support Janay’s family with the costs associated with transporting her back to her native Canada, as well as covering expenses related to her funeral and memorial. The goal is to alleviate some of the financial burden that comes with saying goodbye to a beloved daughter, sister, and friend.
“On behalf of the women’s soccer team, multicultural club, and Briar Cliff University as a whole, please help us in providing Janay’s family with just a little bit of relief so they are able to grieve and remember Janay in the best way possible, with laughter, and a lot of Canadian National Anthem singing,” Coach Parks added.
The Briar Cliff community is coming together to support the Geng-Meier family during this difficult time. The GoFundMe campaign, initiated by Coach Gabrielle Parks, has already garnered widespread attention and contributions from those touched by Janay’s spirit.