Geri's Widow Fund
Donation protected
You never know when your life can change for the worse....
What a life our father "Jack" gave to his family and so many others. He was a man that never needed much at all but to see his family happy and enjoying the fruits of his labor. We grew up so very fortunate in life and have many many memories of trips we took, gifts we were given and most importantly the love that existed in our home. Mom was always home and able to drive each of us around with friends in tow, and attend school activities whenever needed and meals were always homemade and on the table and dinner was always together as a family. Not long after we had all moved out she was there for me to watch my children, attend their school activities and drive them around while my husband and I both worked full time.
Dad started his own career when mom was 9 months pregnant and worked non-stop until his sickness (AML) took him away from his work dedication. Dad was a manufacturer's representative in the packaging industry. He once was the top salesman for one company he represented out of the country. Unfortunately, as with many industries, things became competitive. He was informed he couldn't represent the company anymore and wasn't allowed to continue business with the current customers he had. You see, dad at the age of 73 was looking at basically starting his career all over again. Think about how difficult that is for a young person let alone someone in their 70's. During this time, income became weak, no one needed anything more in life but for the first time in over 40 years, my parent’s bills became difficult to pay. Savings was depleted, minimum payments had to be made and life insurance was defaulted because they couldn't keep up with the cost.
Dad went into the hospital for back relief on November 22, 2017, after all it was the first time in 2 years all of his kids would be "home" for Thanksgiving, so he was looking to be pain free. It was that day we found out his back pain was likely due to cancer. November 25, 2017 mom took dad back to the hospital and little did any of us know that would be the last day he would ever be home.
Dad passed just 38 days later, January 2nd. A fighter he was, even when he could speak in his last weeks, when asked what his goals were, I heard with my own ears "I need to get better to get home and provide for my family".
Now, to hear the break in my mom’s voice, see the stress in her eyes and to know her heart is broken and empty, I swallow my pride and ask for help. Dad didn't have life insurance, his funeral was paid for on a loan and all paid back with the generous donations given by friends, family and even strangers. The family is trying to help mom, but you see I have health struggles and three children and I am not able to work at this time and my siblings are working through health and financial situations of their own. Some might think mom has all kinds of money purely from knowing how fortunate we were, but she doesn't. At this time there is difficulty paying general housing bills, the mortgage and living expenses. Sure mom will be getting Social Security, but a lot will be depleted by paying business taxes.
Mom is an incredibly strong woman and a real "go getter". We are working on trying to find her “nitch” within her hobbies and find an industry where she can work. This is difficult to do right now as she is trying to figure out all things needed to be completed when you lose your spouse. Not to mention she hasn't had much time, if any, to grieve. She is helping take care of me, still prepares days’ worth of meals for her mother with weekly visits and helping care for my other siblings currently with health problems.
As mentioned earlier, this is very difficult to swallow our pride and ask for help. If any of you know my mom, she has always been the giver and has never ever expected anything in return. Many of you have helped me and my family during our own financial burdens since being diagnosed with MG and Metastatic Melanoma, for that I thank you one ton. I ask that if you can find it in your heart and wallet to help my mom, I am willing to give up the support and generosity you give to me and my family to give it to my mom.
It's with a huge heartfelt thanks, that I thank you for considering.
Love my mom more than I will ever be able to write, tell or show.
Thanks much,
Bridget
What a life our father "Jack" gave to his family and so many others. He was a man that never needed much at all but to see his family happy and enjoying the fruits of his labor. We grew up so very fortunate in life and have many many memories of trips we took, gifts we were given and most importantly the love that existed in our home. Mom was always home and able to drive each of us around with friends in tow, and attend school activities whenever needed and meals were always homemade and on the table and dinner was always together as a family. Not long after we had all moved out she was there for me to watch my children, attend their school activities and drive them around while my husband and I both worked full time.
Dad started his own career when mom was 9 months pregnant and worked non-stop until his sickness (AML) took him away from his work dedication. Dad was a manufacturer's representative in the packaging industry. He once was the top salesman for one company he represented out of the country. Unfortunately, as with many industries, things became competitive. He was informed he couldn't represent the company anymore and wasn't allowed to continue business with the current customers he had. You see, dad at the age of 73 was looking at basically starting his career all over again. Think about how difficult that is for a young person let alone someone in their 70's. During this time, income became weak, no one needed anything more in life but for the first time in over 40 years, my parent’s bills became difficult to pay. Savings was depleted, minimum payments had to be made and life insurance was defaulted because they couldn't keep up with the cost.
Dad went into the hospital for back relief on November 22, 2017, after all it was the first time in 2 years all of his kids would be "home" for Thanksgiving, so he was looking to be pain free. It was that day we found out his back pain was likely due to cancer. November 25, 2017 mom took dad back to the hospital and little did any of us know that would be the last day he would ever be home.
Dad passed just 38 days later, January 2nd. A fighter he was, even when he could speak in his last weeks, when asked what his goals were, I heard with my own ears "I need to get better to get home and provide for my family".
Now, to hear the break in my mom’s voice, see the stress in her eyes and to know her heart is broken and empty, I swallow my pride and ask for help. Dad didn't have life insurance, his funeral was paid for on a loan and all paid back with the generous donations given by friends, family and even strangers. The family is trying to help mom, but you see I have health struggles and three children and I am not able to work at this time and my siblings are working through health and financial situations of their own. Some might think mom has all kinds of money purely from knowing how fortunate we were, but she doesn't. At this time there is difficulty paying general housing bills, the mortgage and living expenses. Sure mom will be getting Social Security, but a lot will be depleted by paying business taxes.
Mom is an incredibly strong woman and a real "go getter". We are working on trying to find her “nitch” within her hobbies and find an industry where she can work. This is difficult to do right now as she is trying to figure out all things needed to be completed when you lose your spouse. Not to mention she hasn't had much time, if any, to grieve. She is helping take care of me, still prepares days’ worth of meals for her mother with weekly visits and helping care for my other siblings currently with health problems.
As mentioned earlier, this is very difficult to swallow our pride and ask for help. If any of you know my mom, she has always been the giver and has never ever expected anything in return. Many of you have helped me and my family during our own financial burdens since being diagnosed with MG and Metastatic Melanoma, for that I thank you one ton. I ask that if you can find it in your heart and wallet to help my mom, I am willing to give up the support and generosity you give to me and my family to give it to my mom.
It's with a huge heartfelt thanks, that I thank you for considering.
Love my mom more than I will ever be able to write, tell or show.
Thanks much,
Bridget
Organizer and beneficiary
Bridget McEvoy Valko
Organizer
Rochester, MI
Geri McNulty
Beneficiary
