Tashina Pomani Obituary, Know About Her Death
by Janani
Updated May 20, 2023
Who was Tashina Pomani?
Tashina Merlina-Faye Pomani, lovingly known as Sheena, entered this world on December 25, 1993, a special day that coincided with Christmas, in San Diego, California. She was born to Mary Vickland and Frank Pomani. Sadly, Sheena departed from this world on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the age of 29.
When she was alive, Tashina was on her way to a rehabilitation and mental health facility in southern California, specifically designed for Native Americans. The last few people who spoke to her over the phone mentioned that she sounded coherent, optimistic, and more like her true self than she had in years.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2023, the family wishes to share Tashina's story.
Tashina Pomani Obituary
Surviving her are her sister, Angelaura Pomani, residing in Anadarko, Oklahoma; her sister and brother-in-law, Melody Redbird-Post and Stephen Post II, residing in Clinton, Oklahoma; her brothers, Ahkeesha Pomani and Sundance Redbird, currently located in Denmark, Wisconsin; her brother Isaiah Redbird Sr., residing in California; her nieces, Hozshona Post, Nevaeh Post, Echo Post, Merlina Post, and nephew Vizshon Post, all from Clinton, Oklahoma; her nieces Mary Ann Redbird, Twilina Redbird, Naomi Redbird, Avona Redbird, and Arianna Redbird from Whiteriver, Arizona; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Tashina's family is sad, because of her death. They include her mother, Mary Melody Vickland Redbird; her nephew, Isaiah Whitefox Redbird Jr.; her niece, Illeana Marie Redbird; her paternal grandparents, Marilyn Medicine Crow and Delbert Pomani Sr.; as well as her maternal grandparents, Geraldine Jeanette Denman and Paul Melvin Vickland Sr.
Tashina Pomani Dead
On Sunday morning, April 30th, Tashina was discovered unconscious at the bottom of a stairwell in Dallas, Texas' Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The only item found on her was a ticket from Oklahoma City to Dallas, which served as her only means of identification. Through the efforts of the medical examiner and the forensics unit, her fingerprints were run through various databases, leading them to locate the contact details of her youngest sister. This was how the family was notified about her passing.
According to police reports, Tashina had sought assistance from the emergency room at the hospital but was denied because she couldn't provide identification or adequately explain her condition. Consequently, she left the premises. Several hours later, she was discovered in the hospital's stairwell. The autopsy results were inconclusive, and further investigation and testing are required to determine the cause of her death.
Tashina Pomani Early Life
Tashina Pomani spent most of her childhood in various locations in southern California, including Valley Center, Escondido, Rincon, and San Pasqual. During her 8th grade year, she attended All Tribes American Indian Charter School, where she achieved the honor of being named valedictorian. In 2007, her family moved to Anadarko, Oklahoma.
Throughout high school, she actively participated in Upward Bound and took on roles such as library aide, teacher's aide, and reading mentor as part of her leadership classes. Additionally, she dedicated her time to helping others by working as a youth counselor at Oakridge Youth Ministries Christian Camp and as a teacher's assistant at the Acorn Christian Child Care Center. She eagerly volunteered at community health fairs and youth programs, demonstrating her passion for assisting those in need.
During her junior year of high school, her endocrinologist delivered the devastating news that her diabetes would significantly impact her health and potentially prevent her from graduating due to challenges with managing her blood sugar levels and developing insulin resistance. Despite this discouraging prognosis, she persevered and successfully graduated from Anadarko High School as a member of the Class of 2012.
Tashina had plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma, where she received Oklahoma's Promise scholarship, covering her college expenses. However, as her diabetes worsened and began taking a toll on her body, she reconsidered her decision to pursue higher education. Opting to take a gap year before college, she traveled to southern California, where she began experiencing initial signs of mental health difficulties.
Throughout her adult life, she faced ongoing struggles with mental illness and received diagnoses of bipolar disorder I, schizophrenia, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These challenges, combined with her deteriorating physical health, made it challenging for her to maintain employment, think clearly, and complete everyday tasks—especially during periods when she did not adhere to her prescribed medications.
From the age of 19, Tashina battled with suicidal tendencies and frequently sought treatment in hospitals and psychiatric facilities. Her coping mechanism involved self-medication through alcohol and drugs, leading to severe addiction. This destructive cycle persisted until she found herself at various behavioural health facilities in Oklahoma. It was during this time that she made the life-changing decision to enter a drug rehabilitation and mental health treatment program, seeking help to overcome her addictions and stabilise her life.
Tashina Pomani Obituary - FAQ
Tashina Merlina-Faye Pomani, also known as Sheena, was born on December 25, 1993, in San Diego, California. She was the daughter of Mary Vickland and Frank Pomani. Unfortunately, she passed away on April 30, 2023, at the age of 29.
Those who spoke to her over the phone mentioned that she sounded coherent, optimistic, and more like her true self than she had been in years.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2023, the family wishes to share Tashina's story to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote understanding and support for those facing similar challenges.
On Sunday morning, April 30th, Tashina was found unconscious at the bottom of a stairwell in Dallas, Texas' Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The only item found on her was a ticket from Oklahoma City to Dallas, which served as her only means of identification. Through the efforts of the medical examiner and the forensics unit, her fingerprints were used to contact her youngest sister and inform the family about her passing.
Tashina faced ongoing struggles with mental illness, including bipolar disorder I, schizophrenia, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, she battled with diabetes, which significantly impacted her health. She also experienced challenges with substance abuse and addiction, seeking treatment in hospitals and psychiatric facilities. Despite these difficulties, she persevered and sought help by entering a drug rehabilitation and mental health treatment program to overcome her addictions and stabilize her life.