Help Fund My Brother’s Funeral

My brother, Ron, died on October 6 from complications from liver disease. He was in the process of being placed on a liver transplant list through Ochsner’s but got extremely sick and was hospitalized at Ocean Springs hospital on September 25th. He was placed on the ventilator in critical condition. He was airlifted to Ochsner’s on Oct 3rd but succumb to his illness on Oct. 6th.

His wife, Adela, who he met in Mexico, is an immigrant and just received her citizenship while he was in hospital on life support. Since is diagnosis, my brother was not able to work due to his chronic illness. His wife was only recently able to get a job in housekeeping at a local hospital. They have been living off her hourly wage. They had no savings - everything they had was spent on moving to United States, getting Adela’s citizenship, and paying medical expenses.

My mother who is still working at 71 has pulled out of her small retirement to pay for his funeral. This is the first time we’ve had to do this. In 2013, my brothers youngest son died in a tragic car wreck at age 16. It’s unimaginable to have to bury a grandson and then bury your son and it breaks my heart that we had to use the little bit of money my mom has saved.

I am asking for donations so that my mom can put her hard-earned money back into her retirement and maybe finally be able to stop working one day. She is a generous lady who’s taught me everything I know about having empathy for others and showing compassion for the lest of these. Because of that, I grew up to do social justice and mutual aid work where I find ways to provide assistance for folks in need. Now I am on the other side and it is my family in need. Any donation is greatly appreciated and we will be happy to provide folks with any documentation if requested out of transparency.

Here is a link to his obituary: https://www.holderwellsfuneralhome.com/m/obituaries/Ronald-Eckert-3/Memories?fbclid=IwAR1KIab7rDnJudWwk-xFLbYKgnqGM26mdgN971ThuoBCe4W6-VnJvt4b-0Q

Solidarity Forever,

Melissa Garriga