Dad Taken Too Soon
Breathing. We have all taken it for granted.
My name is Crystal Downey. I am a CMA at an assisted living facility. If you have just a minute... I would like to share something personal with you about my future son-in-law Mark Mendez.
Mark passed away Monday, September 2, 2019 in Washington, MO after a severe asthma attack put him into a coma... brain dead.
Mark was a spirited, hard working man who loved his children, the outdoors and being on the river. He did not have many possessions, but what he did have, he earned. He was perfectly imperfect. He was quick to help anyone in their time of need any day or night. He would give someone the shirt off his back and his very last dollar if they asked.
He had been dating my daughter Ashley for 10 years. Not too long ago he finally "popped" the question! Everyone in the family was excited upon learning the news of the engagement and how my daughter was finally going to make an honest man out of Mark. These two have worked so hard to overcome numerous challenges... they had their entire life ahead of them to accomplish the hopes and dreams they mutually shared.
Love. Mark loved his children. Mark loved my daughter and for that I have the utmost respect and admiration for him. He was an amazing son-in-law (to be) and I was proud of him for taking care of my daughter. Proud for what they stand for. Proud of their integrity. Proud of having the courage to keep getting back up after situations in life knocked them down. Together, they were invincible. Together, they were the personification of true love.
On Monday September 2, Mark went into a full blown asthma attack. When he finally arrived at the hospital, he was placed in a medically induced coma. Test were run and it was determined that he was brain dead. He never regained consciousness. We made the heart wrenching decision to let him go. His organs were donated.
I mentioned Mark was a hard worker... I cannot emphasize that enough. He did not have much money nor did he have the insurance "preferred/accepted" by most medical providers. This limited Mark on being able to properly take care of himself. Treatment was nearly impossible to find. He made do with what he had and what he could get.
Needless to say, Marks passing caught us all off guard. We need help.
We have started this Go Fund Me account to help ease some of the funeral expenses that burden my daughter Ashley and our family. As you can imagine the normal costs of a funeral is pretty high, out of reach for some of us. We elected to do something simple and then have Mark cremated.
Over the next days, weeks, and months things will be hard for Ashley... hard for his children. It is with the utmost respect and humility I ask for your help...
Will you please help our family? All of the money raised will be put toward funeral expenses. Anything remaining monies will be put toward support of his children first and then my daughter. Thank you for your kindness and Grace. - Crystal Downey
Breathing. We have all taken it for granted.
