A close friend of Laura Jacobs, who was killed after being struck by a vehicle in the Three Rivers Meijer parking lot on Thursday, June 18, is raising funds to pay for her late friend’s funeral expenses.

Casey Tobias, 51, of Three Rivers was Jacobs’ “friend, roommate, co-worker, confidant and co-conspirator” for the better part of the last four years.

“Sometimes we drank and smoked and laughed and celebrated and joked and lived life to the fullest. Sometimes we talked each other through financial, emotional, physical and mental disasters,” Tobias said. “Sometimes we fought and disagreed and sometimes we stood solid side-by-side. No matter what we did or where we were I know Laura was a good friend, and all she ever wanted was to be accepted and loved for who she was. She didn’t wish any harm or bad to others and she carried the burdens of her past mistakes daily but never judged anyone for theirs.”

Tobias said she started the fundraiser after learning that Jacobs’ life insurance had been cancelled prior to her death.

“Although we had thought she had life insurance it had been cancelled, leaving the family responsible for the expenses of her passing,” Tobias said. “Laura touched the lives of many while she worked at Applebee’s and before that Harding’s. If you can find it in your heart to help, please know that every single dollar will make a difference.”

As of 12 p.m. Wednesday, Tobias had raised $1,143 toward her goal of $3,000 for Jacobs’ family. A Celebration Of Life for Laura will be held on July 4, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Tobias’ home at 1124 Millard Court in Three Rivers.

“Please people, I am begging you, do not let a little petty thing get in the way of a friendship, do not carry anger, one day it might be too late and then all you have are bitter regrets,” Tobias said. “Please tell the people you love that you love them, that they are important, that they matter to you, that your life is better because of them.”

Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor of Watershed Voice.