My Dear Destany,

I miss you so much and wish you were still here with me. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I constantly see your birthdate—on clocks, my computer, or my phone—and every time I do, I feel a little closer to you. I tell myself it's your way of letting me know you're still near, watching over me.

Life hasn’t been the same without you. I’d be lying if I said this journey hasn't been rough. I pray every day that it gets easier, but the truth is, it hasn’t—because you were taken from me far too soon.

I know you had dreams and aspirations. With everything in me, I promise to carry them forward. I will do my very best to pick up where you left off and bring your dreams to life.

I love you always,
Mommy

Dear daughter. It's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I miss you soooo much! There are no words to express how much I miss you. It is still a daily struggle to move on without you . I'm trying my very best but life just isn't the same without you here. I miss your voice and I miss your early morning calls waking me up. I cannot believe it has already been 4 years. It is so funny how time flies. I can go on and on but  going to leave it at this. I love you Destany to the moon and back. Continue to watch over me and your brothers. Until we see each other again. I love ❤️ you.

Hello Des,

This is your mom.  I just wanted to let you know that there is still no day that  goes by without me thinking of you. That moment on this day 2 years ago still plays in my mind constantly and I am still struggling on some day more so than others. It is hard to move forward without you. I miss your smile and your early morning phone calls. I wished we had more time together and more time to bond in your adulthood. Your mark that you left here on earth will never be matched or forgotten. You touched many many lives in a positive way and there are many friends and family furthering their education because of you. I love you Destany and until we meet again, I'll keep taking one step forward and kerp moving on one day at a time.... I love you ❤️ 

Dearest Des, I think of you often. I'm sure you're fulfilled in your current state. Moving about in the spiritual realm of existence. No care in the world to distract your new purpose. Knowing this brings me peace. Thank you for sharing your best earthly self with us. Love you always & forever, auntie Felicia 

I miss you so much my love and it is still really hard for me to face the fact that I won't see you in the flesh again. I still have not accepted this happening to you and it is still so unreal. I struggle every single day with trying to move forward and get stuck in tears of sorrow on more days than not. I wish the pain would stop but it doesn't. I wish the images in my.head would go away but they won't. I wish the guilt would fade but it doesn't. I wish I was there but I wasn't. It just isn't fare. It's not enough to just remember you because I still want you here with me. I was and am so very proud of you and all of your accomplishments. You had soon very much to offer this world. You were my special Destany. You are my special Destany. There is no other pain that I have ever felt like the one that I'm feeling of losing you. I will NEVER be the same again and that is something that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. My.heart is forever broken 💔 😢.  I hope that you were present at your remembrance service last night. I needed that. Please watch over me.your dad and your brothers. We love you. We miss you. I love you and I miss you....... you'll forever be my little baby my baby girl my.precious baby. Love Mommy. 

It must mean something that after so many years, my memories of Destany are still so vivid. She was in my Spanish class at Bush, and  it might surprise you to read that we frequently butted heads about vocabulary, grammar, and other aspects of the language that seem so trivial now. But the reason I refer to those incidents is because in a strange way, they brought us closer. Towards the end of Destany’s Senior year at Bush, one day we run into each other on a set of stairs, outside. We started talking about school, and family, and the future. Anything but a light conversation—despite the inappropriate location or time. As a result of that chat, we both ended up crying, and “sealed the deal” with a hug, as we tried to compose ourselves for the next class. I knew then and there that this person, this Destany that drove me crazy in the Spanish classroom, had to be the Senior speaker for the graduation ceremony. Because Destany embodied the young adult we ambition our students to become. Somebody sensitive, who appreciated education and opportunities in life, somebody who would learn from experiences, not just from academics, and embrace challenges as an opportunity to grow. Needless to say I was delighted and deeply moved the day Destany was in her graduation robe, on stage, delivering a beautiful message representing her classmates on such special occasion. 
Destany was aiming for greatness. Even though her time was cut short too early, I don’t doubt she managed to touch many lives during the time that she was given. Mine being one of them. 


I first met Destany in the summer of our rising 6th grade at Rainier Scholars. We were sitting next to each and b/c she was left-handed & I was right we kept bumping elbows. We both became frustrated with each other but refused to simply switch seats when the teacher told us it would fix our problem. Eventually we gave in and switched seats... I just remember us instantly breaking into a laughter and being like "ohhhh, duhh!". She was the closest person/friend/peer I had at RS since then! I never attended an event without first checking if Destany was also going. I'll always admire Destany's ability to engage (and I mean engage as in leading things, running things, truly making an impression/impact on people) in so many diverse communities. I'll always admire her grind! #SeatbeltBae because she was forever in the car on the move. I don't know how she juggled all that she juggled and still managed to be there for so many people in the most genuine way. Destany your smile is forever engraved in my heart and vision. I will do my best to channel you in times of affliction because nothing ever stopped or slowed you down from achieving your dreams and living life. I will forever loveee you!!! My heart can't even imagine what the family is going through- My deepest condolences to you all!  

I had the true of honor of getting to know Destany during her senior year at The Bush School as her college counselor. She had been gone from Bush for a year but re-entered our school with ambition and gusto. It was clear from the start that Destany knew herself well and was ready to get out there and conquer the world. I can picture her right now, bounding into my office with a bright smile. She possessed that rare and beautiful combination of grace and grit and while she was not afraid to voice her strong (and often, brilliant) opinions, she also knew how to sit back and listen. I know I'm lucky to have known Destany. Her spark remains but she will be sorely missed.

All my love,

Melissa Ewing Lanctot

I loved Destany's smile mixed with her true grit. We worked together her senior year when she was working at doing online polling and taking Statistics with me at the same time. We sat down and did a lot of homework together. She was so funny and so practical. I loved that about her. We'd talk about her calling homes and doing customer surveys and connect them to all of the things she was learning in school. I felt like she had a real understanding of what she needed from life, school, relationships. I am sad knowing the world will not get to feel her spark anymore. I also know that she is one of the inspirations of teaching at Bush. I feel lucky I got to see her for a while.

I worked with Destany and Lateasta when Destany was in Rainier Scholars.  I watched this amazing spirit navigate uncharted waters for most of her life, taking on new settings with heart, courage and stubbornness.  Destany was a bright light and she was a fighter all the way.  My heart goes out to Lateasta and her family for the loss of a beautiful soul but I know that she is watching us and seeing how much she impacts all of our lives.  Miss you and love you, Destany.

Love, Susie

OBITUARY

Destany Lynice Franklin

19 June, 1992 – 25 April, 2020

Greenwood Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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