The world is mourning the loss of 21-year-old Liza Burke, a University of Georgia senior who had planned a final pre-graduation spring break trip to Cabo for 53 friends. She experienced a brain bleed while on vacation and was later found to have an aggressive malignant brain tumor.
Liza passed away while holding her brother Jack’s hand on April 28th, 2023. Her mother, Laura McKeithen, described her as someone who “lived it largely” and gave this advice: “Don’t waste time worrying about stupid things. Go for it.” Liza’s adventurous spirit motivated her to tour the globe.
Liza’s mother recalled that Liza took the ventilator out of her mouth when she first awoke from sedation. Liza found it challenging to fall asleep because the tumor stressed the area of her brain that kept her awake.
After beginning the daily radiation treatment, Liza recovered and had a few more days with her family and friends.
However, specialists discovered fresh bleeding on her brain a few days later. According to her mother, she communicated by squeezing her hand or wriggling her toes when awake.
Due to Liza’s mother’s desire to avoid another intubation, hospice care was recommended. Her mother selected a seaside Airbnb and leased it for a month.
On April 19th, 2023, Liza and her immediate family moved into the home, which friends and grandparents frequently visited. Liza passed away in bed, cuddling with her brother Jack early on April 28th, 2023
Liza’s letter to her future self, written as part of a class project in her final year of high school, was received by her mother in the mail on May 2nd, 2023.
Liza’s graduation date was a day after her passing. The teacher had promised to mail the letters to the students upon graduation. The world has lost an adventurous and free-spirited soul, but her memory will live through her loved ones.
