Guelila Elizabeth Iyob ("Gigi")
Age 25 (born 15 Dec 1998)21 Jan 2024
Damascus, Maryland (USA)
Long COVID
Gigi was non-binary. They died from long COVID complications.
On January 21st the world lost an incredible person. Our Gigi was only 25 years old when they unfortunately passed due to complications with long covid. Guelila's warm, kind, and gentle spirit was felt by thousands near and far. Anyone lucky enough to interact with them either intimately or in passing would say they had an incredibly warming presence. Behind Guelila's modest and gentle demeanor held a world full of immense and unimaginable talent, intelligence, and wit. Guelila reached thousands through one of their many gifts: makeup.
Guelila was able to create new possibilities and push the bounds of creativity through their makeup. With the platform they built, Gigi used their talents to speak out against injustice, social issues, and challenge the world to be better. Gigi was a real advocate, comrade, and organizer in Black and Queer liberation. In their short time on this Earth, Gigi made an impact that will warm the hearts of the loved ones they leave behind forever. Gigi was supported by their mother, two siblings, extended family, friends, and their larger community up until taking their final rest. The funds from this GFM will go directly toward Gigi's family to aid in their transition to this new reality, relieve financial stress, and cover any remaining medical costs from Gigi's care. Gigi will be terribly missed, and we will uplift their name forever.
Frozen. Confused. Shocked. Heartbreaking. There are minimal words for me to speak. I was sitting on my bed, preparing dinner when the news came to reach. I said to myself, "This can't be happening. Why is this the way I'm learning of your departure?" You just turned 25 last month, with so much to prepare for a future. The last time we talked, I was getting ready to watch Dreamgirls again. It was another one of our joyous convos that we had some time to spend. The first time we met was our first time coming to Towson Freedom School. We clicked right away, and, ever since, I knew you were real and cool. You have this uplifting energy and were always a source of light. Every meeting, you always spoke truth to power and fought for what's right. We followed each other on Twitter, and you always managed to crack me up. There were times when we were flirting, and there were times I was like, "Girl, what?" ??
Gigi's Facebook profile is https://www.facebook.com/gigi.iyob.
https://everloved.com/life-of/guelila-iyob/?flow=201
https://www.gofundme.com/f/guelila-iyob-gigi-lila-our-angel
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1570448163283501/posts/3654421054886191/
