My name is Toya Gavin and I am starting a donation fundraiser for assistance with Funeral and Burial arrangements for my dear mother Claudette Gavin, who passed away suddenly on October 8th 2025.

Thank you for visiting this page. I appreciate everyone who takes the time out to read this message.

On May 30th 2025, my mother suffered her first heart attack and was diagnosed with diabetes at the same time. Since then, she had suffered multiple heart attacks that caused her health to decline. On August 4th, she had a second heart attack after she and my entire family relocated to Canada in July to get proper care for her condition. I was only able to support her from afar, but as a family, we were hopeful that she would get healthier and was on the road to recovery.

On September 9th, she had another heart attack and had been in the hospital from that point forward. On Monday September 22nd I was informed that she would need triple bypass surgery. I had struggled with whether or not to go, or to fulfil my job duties. It was last minute and a flight ticket was going to put a lot of financial strain on me, as I have my own health issue I have been battling in the midst of it all. On Thursday September 25th I was given the news that the surgery was going to be done on September 29th, and I had to purchase my ticket that night.

I attended our all-store meeting the night before and had to get up at 4am to be on a flight early morning Monday the 29th to be present for her. I stayed for two days. We talked, laughed and I spent what little time I could to be with her until I had to hop back on a flight to be back home and ready for work. The day I had to leave was the day she had to go into surgery. It had been postponed twice since I had been there, due to complications. Everything was cleared and I was able to see her off before I left.

An hour before I had to be at the airport we got the news that she was out of surgery and in ICU but everything went well! I was relieved that I could be there for her in her most delicate times and show my love and support for her. I went back home, had a day of rest and was ready to be back to work. On Thursday when I returned, I took time to recover from a very stressful week to prepare for my return to work. I got news that things were going okay, and she was doing great. I was utterly drained but relieved to hear the good news. Sadly, that relief did not last very long..

I was knee deep back into my duties for 4 days, and my mom was in ICU recovering. I had not heard anything back yet and expected to hear something once she was out of the ICU, so I kept myself focused. On Monday October 5th I saw that she called me early in the morning, so as I was up getting ready for work, I called her back to find out if everything was okay, and everything was not okay. She started having complications, and the doctors were trying to help her get back on track. I spoke with the doctors over the phone and asked them to be gentle with her as she was in a very delicate state. I prepared to go to work and received a message from my brother stating that they took her back into the ICU and she was now on dialysis.

I was struggling at work trying to keep my energy high and also deal with the constant news of things going wrong. By Tuesday, I finally had a day off to rest and I did my best to take that time for myself. Wednesday October 8th rolled around and I was up early getting ready for work. Something felt off and I did not want to be at work that day. Things kept popping up and I was in a delicate state myself. I got to work and as I parked, I realized I missed a call from her early in the morning again. She left me a voicemail that now haunts me. She wanted me to call her but I was about to go into work and I was going to try to call her later. The day was busy and other things popped up that got in the way and I forgot to call her back. Later that night, as the only manager in the building, I was responsible for closing the store, and making sure we hit our targets, and goals and tending to customers and associates.

It was about an hour and 10 minutes to closing and I saw a missed text message from my brother telling me that my mom was unstable and many doctors and nurses had entered the room. I immediately called to an inconsolable brother, who then passed the phone off to my older sister who was also present. They were trying to bring her back. After about 15-20 minutes they had a pulse and rushed her to the OR.

I broke down at work in the office. I had to keep it together to get my team through the rest of the night. I told my younger sister not to message me any updates until I made it home safely for the night. I closed up the store, we got out a little earlier than usual, and I drove home with music loud to keep my mind busy. When I arrived home my younger sister messaged me at 9:33 asking when I was going to arrive. I texted her that I just got home at 9:36pm. She called me immediately and told me that my mom did not make it.

I fell apart. I have been crying for days. I could not be at work and I could not be present for anyone except close family and friends who I told the news to. I called a very close friend, the only person who has been really there for me, and they came to spend the next two nights with me as I kept falling apart.

As of October 10th, I have officially gotten news of the date of the funeral and I must now hop back on a last minute flight to be present for my mom, and for my family. I wanted her to know and made sure to let her know before I hopped back on that flight home on October 1st, that she was loved, she was seen, and that I would do anything for her within my power.

Right now, I am a little powerless. The costs of the funeral and the burial are more than we as a family can bear without completely going bankrupt. I am willing to take the hit for this ticket to get me back to my mom to see her off, but I need help. My family needs help to get her to the finish line.

If you have made it this far, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart for listening to my story and for truly taking the time to understand my situation, and that of my family.

If there is anything that you can donate towards the expenses we are now incurring due to my mom's very sudden and unexpected passing, we would greatly appreciate anything. Every penny, every nickel, every dime and or dollar, will make a difference. Due to the short notice of this event, we are expected to have the majority of the funds due on Tuesday October 14th to secure the burial plot.

I do not ask for much and I hardly take time off work unless it is an emergency. This is both an emergency and I know I am asking a lot right now. Please, help me and my family bury my mother so that I can rest assured knowing that she is in a better place and will have a place to finally rest.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Toya

P.S. Mom, I love you dearly and miss you.