Mourning The Loss Of A Friend—A Tribute To Tranisha Dangerfield

2019.02.13.City.Heights.CDC.Trinisha_8.jpg

Last week, a dear friend and community member named Tranisha Dangerfield passed away. Her passing feels shocking and sudden given how young she was.

She was active in the community and beloved by so many.

She was the kind of person who just didn’t take ‘No’ for an answer, especially when working to make life better for her neighbors. She pushed herself and became a skilled, trained chef, but rather than work in a fancy restaurant, she chose to put those culinary skills toward working alongside community members and newly-settled refugees.

There’s a lot to be said about Tranisha, so we decided to invite friends and community members who loved her share their own thoughts and memories. Those are posted below:

“I met Tranisha a few times throughout my participation with the Built Environment Team and I found her to be very refreshing! She was brave, very open about sharing her experiences, and I could tell that she was very passionate about helping others by teaching them culinary skills.
She was not shy about voicing her opinions and, in hearing her speak, it inspired me to express myself my thoughts as well. I didn't know her too well, so when Maria asked me to write a few words about her, I decided to Google her name. I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon her autobiography on Kindle. I read the preview pages and was astonished at what she has been through and how she has overcome those obstacles, and how she has managed to create a life for herself in which she is giving back to the community.
I will keep her and her family in my prayers and good thoughts. Thank you, Tranisha, for being you and shining your light into this world!”

“One of my all-time favorite Tranisia memories is about how she spelled her name. She typically spelled it ‘TraniSHA’, but she sometimes chose to spell it ‘TranSIA.’ After noticing this, one day I asked her about it. I pointed to her Facebook account with one spelling and her Instagram account with another, and she gave a sly smile and said, ‘Oh, you know how I like to keep people guessing’ and laughed that amazing laugh of hers.”

“Peaches and I worked with Tranisia on a Christmas Event that Colina Park puts on every year (see photo above). We worked well with Tranisia to make the event amazing—Rest In Power, Queen!”

“Tranisha was a loving, caring, passionate soul. She always fought for what was right and what she believed in. She was never afraid to speak up. We will dearly miss her and her contagious smile.”

“I had the pleasure of working with Tranisha on many occasions. She was one of the first residents I built a relationship with when I started at CHCDC and didn't hesitate in sharing her passion and desire to offer her gifts and talents with her community and the youth in our after-school program. She was a great chef and through her culinary training she worked with RS staff at CH 10 to provide cooking days with they kids in the after-school program. Tranisha was patient, kind, full of life and laughter. I remember she was always willing to help and give of her time to volunteering in the community, she helped us revive our little community garden and teach the kids how to grown herbs and veggies and then how to cook them.
I remember talking with her at food pantry distributions, celebrating with her when she completed her culinary training program, celebrating her move to her home with her fur baby and fiancee, and sharing in her wedding planning excitement. She was a big part of our community and my time at CHCDC. We are grateful to have known her, shared in her gifts and talents, and will forever be appreciative of her connection to her community.”

“Tranisha was a lively and welcoming presence in our group. We will remember her gifts of time and energy to our community. We're so sorry for your loss. Tranisha will be missed.
Our prayers are with you.”

“It is so heartbroking to hear this. She was a very assertive and optimistic person. She was not afraid to speak out. She had a great sense of humor. We just worked with her to create new labels for her business with the County right before pandemic. I’ve known Tranisia for over 10 years. She was one of our original clients back in 2005. My heart and prayers go out to her and her family. She will be missed.”

“Tranisha had such a warm presence about her. Whenever she came by the office, she would always stop to chat—whether it was about her culinary adventures, wedding planning, or just everyday life, it was always a bright spot in my day. I'm so grateful to have known and spent time with Tranisha, and I'm so grateful that she chose to pour herself into the work of our organization. We are better for having known her!”

My heart broke when I heard the news.

Nisha was an AMAZING human being. Kind, loving, giving, selfless, zero agenda, first in line, first to raise hand, first lady on the bus to Sacramento or to clean up at Teralta. I met Nisha in 2011 in City Heights. New to organizing, she always inspired me through her warmth and kind disposition. She supported actions and events to help her community grow, be more valuable, have equity and justice. She was ALWAYS there. Her passing leaves a vacancy in my heart. Revelation promises that I will see her again and God will "call her to rise and she will." Loved this woman with all my heart. We spoke just a few days before she passed. I will never forget this kind, gentle, smiling soul. My prayers go out to her fur baby Brownie and to the love of her life, Bear.

“First off, my prayers go out to the family. I know this is very heart breaking to them, especially her husband. I know that they will truly miss her. I as a friend will miss her too. I hope that the family will embrace and remember the good times that they were able to share with her. I know I will. I hope they will cherish all the good things, loving things that she did around us. We know her heart and her passion, that we will surely miss about her. Love and prayers to the family.”

“I remember Tranisha for her persistence and perseverance in the face of many obstacles. She did so much and just kept going, getting her culinary degree, starting her nonprofit to help refugees eat healthier, getting married and moving to a new place with her husband. She was amazing and always had a smile and a laugh for everyone!”