April 2023 | Vol. 33 Iss. 04
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AFTER LOSING HER PARENTS TO SUICIDE, A LOCAL REALTOR DETERMINES TO HELP OTHERS By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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n the face of immense personal tragedy, a realtor has turned her pain into a purpose by creating a foundation to prevent suicide. As a young adult, Jenn Kikel-Lynn, lost both of her parents to suicide within a decade. The profound impact of this loss stayed with her, motivating her to act and make a difference in the lives of others. As a realtor, Kikel-Lynn was in a unique position to help those struggling with mental health issues. She used her platform to raise awareness about suicide prevention, advocating for greater access to resources and support for those in need. “Our dad tragically took his life in a horrific manner when my brother and I were only 9 and 11 years old—he was 42 at the time. Our mom was suddenly a widow in her 30s, with two young kids and working multiple jobs to support us. She developed cancer soon after, lived through that battle, and then had a different type of cancer at 50. She didn’t want to go through the painful treatments again, so she ended her life at 52 years old by medically induced suicide. My brother and I were 28 and 30 years old at the time,” she said. Kikel-Lynn, a fourth-generation Murray resident, has had a deep connection with the city. Like herself, her parents were business owners in the city. In addition, her dad was quite well known as he DJ’ed local dances and was an announcer for the Murray Independence Day parade. Those ties to a close-knit community made it difficult for her to relate to her friends and neighbors. “For years, I was afraid of judgment if I told people that both Continued page 9 It is not uncommon to see realtor Jenn Kikel-Lynn wear yellow, the color for suicide awareness. (Photo courtesy of Jenn Kikel-Lynn)
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