Mercedes, 

I’m sorry I can’t be there today to celebrate your life. Our friendship began in 7th grade at KO Knudson Jr. High. You were as kind and vibrant back then as you always have been. Thank you for making an awkward, middle school nerd your friend. Be sure to save us all a seat up there in the cosmos and we will all sing, Don’t Stop Believing, with you again someday. RIP (Rest In Party)!

Matt

It’s hard to find the right words for someone who came back into your life later on, but still left a meaningful mark. My aunt came back into my life on August 19th, 2018 — and even though we didn’t get many chances to see each other in person, we stayed connected in our own way. We talked here and there, shared little pieces of life, and bonded over my rabbit Milo, who she lovingly took over caring for. Knowing he was with someone who genuinely loved him and treated him as royalty brought me alot of comfort and its something I'll always appreciate about her. Life doesn’t always give us the chance to share as much time as we might hope with people, but I’m grateful for the moments and connections we did have. She will be remembered with warmth, and I’ll always appreciate the moments, messages, and kindness we shared. Rest peacefully,Aunt Mercy. Kiss Milo for me 🕊 Love you 🩷 

 I first met Mercedes shortly after I moved to Las Vegas. We both worked as cocktail waitresses and instantly became friends. I always looked forward to our shifts together because we always had fun. If you knew Mercedes then you know she had a magnetic personality. She was charming, witty, funny and smart. Being with her was exciting.

Around this time Mercedas was a single Mom to a toddler working 2 jobs. And at sometimes 3. She worked her butt off to provide for her daughter. It was her number 1 priority to not just care for Sistina but she wanted her to grow up in a nice neighborhood, have stability and very opportunity available to her. There were times I did not know how she got the energy but she never complained. Mercedes had such strength and determination to things that were meaningful to her and I always deeply admired that about her.

I lived in Las Vegas for 13 years and have my share of interesting experiences. But some of my best Vegas’s stories have Mercedes in them. If you had a night out with Mercedes then you know what I mean. But the truth is our friendship wasn’t really about the nights out or the crazy stories. What made Mercedes special was the kind of friend she was. She was thoughtful, supportive, generous and fiercely loyal. If she cared about you, she had your back. She was the kind of person who would go to the end of the earth for you with out a blink of her eye and without asking her to. That kind of loyalty and heart, is rare.

Mercedes left her mark on people lucky enough to have known her. There is no one like her in the world and she will never be forgotten.