Remembering sweet Keana on her 24th birthday❤️

I miss you Keana, and I wish I could have spent more time with you ❤️ the world misses your joy so much right now

I met Keana in my general chemistry lab at Berkeley during our freshman fall semester. She was always very positive during such a transitionary and unfamiliar period of our lives, and it was because of that I thoroughly enjoyed being her lab partner for a few of the labs. The next semester, we took general biology together, and I specifically remember studying for the first midterm together at one of the dorm lounges. We studied, laughed, and moaned about the work and our personal lives for hours, but it was all so fun and a memory I look back upon very fondly. She never made me feel bad about my gaps in knowledge, and I could always count on her encouragement and advice when the going got tough. Even when we were relegated to remote learning at the pandemic's start, we kept up the studying and last-minute homework sessions through Google Hangouts. It was comforting to have a friend that I could rely on in such uncertain times, even if she was almost 3,000 miles away from me at the time. Keana always strived to put her best foot forward on every assignment and understand concepts in their entirety, but also take the time to enjoy doing what she loved (I remember her talking about how she liked being a part of her food consulting club a lot). Her presence has pushed me to do the same, and I have to thank her for being such an impactful part of my college experience. Missing you a lot right now Keana ❤️

Keana with her gym girlies — with Libby Howe

Dear Estela, Guy and Alisha,

We send our deepest condolences about your loss. We will always remember Keana. Please know that we are always here for you in your time of grief. All our love.

Mousumi and Fabrice 

Happy birthday keana, I miss you ❤️

Keana was a distant classmate of mine at HHS, and I should say that I didn’t know her family, how she grew up, or her aspirations, but I did know of her radiating spirit and kindness. Keana was someone that undoubtedly was driven, dedicated, and humble. She wasn’t the kind of person that didn’t put in 100% of her thoughts and effort, even when most peers would half-heartedly work during Bio labs or group projects (including me). She stood out as special, not because she was outward about her intelligence, but because above all else, she never stopped radiating kindness, humility, and compassion. When everyone else would be panicking for quizzes or tests, Keana maintained a calm and collected presence, and now that I look back it’s clear that she was truly so mature for her age. I am truly honored to have known her, and I am so certain that her energy and spirit will continue to live on. Her ambition to continue to grow, her commitment to serving others, and her effervescent presence will always be an inspiration and guiding light for all of those that knew her. May Keana rest easy, and may her spirit resonate with us all.

Dear Guy, Estela and Alisha:
I am totally heartbroken by the news of Keana's passing. I hope her spirit gets carried forward by your memories and all she has left for you to cherish in her short but very full life.
With my deepest condolences,
Nada Boustany (Cy's mom from Rutgers and Kindercare in ~2004-2007)

Dear Estela and Guy,
Keana had definitely lived a beautiful life worth celebrating! Sorry for your loss, and take care.
Ying

Dear Guy and Estela, I am so sad about the tragic loss of Keana. I wish I could do something to ease your pain. Please accept my deepest condolences in this time of grief. I am thinking of you. I am here for you in whatever capacity you need.
Emine

This is a beautiful tribute to an amazing young woman. Sending lots of love to the Werlens ❤️❤️❤️ Stephanie and Libby