June 17, 2005 ~ August 22, 2026
Kalina “Kat” Louise Trent, 21, of Skillman, NJ, died on August 22, 2026 at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC, surrounded by her family and friends. Though her life was heartbreakingly short, the love, laughter, and light she brought into the lives of those around her will remain forever.
Born June 17, 2005, Kalina was the brightest light in every room she entered from the moment she was born. Her personality was magnetic. She had an extraordinary ability to make people feel seen, loved, and like the most important person in the world. She was loyal and deeply committed to the people she loved. She valued her time with her friends and family and was always up for an outing or adventure. She set the bar for what kindness and forgiveness should look like.
She laughed often and her laugh was incredibly contagious. She loved fiercely, gave generously, and was one of the most thoughtful gift-givers you could ever know. She adored her cats, Simba and Sterling, and pretty much every animal she ever came across. Music was always in the background. She listened to everything from rap to country. Attending music festivals and concerts were among her favorite activities to do with friends. She was creative and artistic and would spend weeks creating a custom piece of artwork for someone she cared about as a special gift for them.
Kalina graduated from Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School in New Jersey in 2023. She was preparing for her senior year at Coastal Carolina University, where she was pursuing her dreams of working for the NFL while becoming a beloved part of the Coastal community. She was active and kept herself very busy with multiple jobs. She was a barista at Starbucks on campus, interned with Coastal Carolina University Football Recruiting, worked as a Student Assistant in the Athletic Ticket Office, and had a summer job at a local tanning salon all while maintaining a high GPA. She had a goal of graduating summa cum laude.
Kalina is survived by her mother, Kimberly Trent; her father, Jeff Trent; her brothers, Deryk (Amy) Slaton and Camden Trent; her grandparents, Robert and Joyce Slaton and Joan Trent; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless dear friends who loved her deeply.
In the midst of unimaginable loss, Kalina's family chose to give the gift of life through organ donation. Through this act of love and generosity, a part of Kalina will continue to live on in others. Her family hopes that this gift reflects the way Kalina lived: with a huge heart full of love and laughter.
Now the responsibility lies with all of us who loved her to carry on her legacy. To love fiercely. To live life to the fullest. To lift those around us through our words and our actions. To laugh loudly. To give generously. To make the world a little brighter each day.
Celebration of Life services will be held in New Jersey and South Carolina at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter in Kalina’s name.
