Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and his fiance, Jade Jones, posted social media tributes to Jones’ friend Makenzi Kern, who died earlier this month while visiting St. Barthelemy Island for Jones’ bachelorette party for the wedding later this summer.
Haliburton posted a photo of Kern and Jones on his Instagram story with a caption, “We will always love and miss you Kenz. Forever thankful for you.” Miley Cyrus’ song “Wherever I Go” from her time on the Disney series “Hannah Montana” accompanied the post.
Jones wrote a much more extensive post on her account with a collection of dozens of photos and a few videos that included her and Kern together.
“She loved and supported Tyrese and me through every chapter,” Jones said of Kern in a five-paragraph memorial. “She was our biggest cheerleader and showed up for me in every big moment in my life. I can’t even imagine our wedding day without her there celebrating with us. The day will not be the same without her, but I know she will show us she is there somehow. She has been there for all of our moments since the day I met Tyrese. But Kenz will forever live on in my memories, my laughter, my stories, and in the person I am because of her. I will never stop laughing about all our memories together.”
According to an obituary posted online by the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory in Council Bluffs, Iowa — Kern’s hometown — Kern “passed away unexpectedly from health complications” on June 8, two days after she turned 26. She and Jones were cheerleaders at Iowa State where Haliburton played two years of college basketball.
According to the obituary, Kern earned her degree in human development and family studies in 2022 and started her career at the YMCA of Greater Omaha where she worked as youth and family director and then as membership director for the Armbrust Branch.
“To know Makenzi was to love her,” the obituary read. “She lived life to the fullest; she was silly, goofy and could brighten everyone’s spirits when she was around.”
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tyrese Haliburton, fiance Jade Jones post tributes to late friend
Reporting by Dustin Dopirak, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Dustin Dopirak, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
