Help Albena and Foteini Through This Tough Time

Albena  Albertova Ivanova, 56, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her daughter, Foteini Ivanova, her husband, Savvas Chrondromatidis, and her mother, Fani Ivanova. Fond aunt and dear friend to many. Loved by all for her positive attitude, humor, and caring nature. She will be missed dearly by everyone. 

 Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 16, at Saint Sophia Bulgarian Orthodox Church at 404 W Oakton St., Des Plaines. Visitation at 3pm and funeral services at 3:30pm. 

 “A mother is she that can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take”. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be made to the family or at gofund me Albena’s presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy of kindness, support, and joy will continue to inspire those who knew and loved her! 

Hello everyone, my name is Nereyda De La Torre and I'm helping my sister-in-law, Foteini Ivanova, and her mom, Albena Ivanova, to start a fundraiser to help with their bills.

Albena Ivanova, 56, has been battling cancer since 2018. She was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018, which she underwent surgery to treat. In 2021, she was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer, leading her to undergo chemotherapy and surgery. The cancer has been spreading throughout her body since 2021, and since has been discovered that the cancer has spread to her brain, liver, lymph nodes and around the abdomen wall. Albena is a very strong woman who migrated from Bulgaria to the US with her daughter in hopes of a better future, leaving their friends and family behind. She is a loving mother to Foteini, her 23-year-old daughter. Foteini not only manages her full-time studies and a part-time job but also acts as her mother's caregiver. Foteini holds the burden of supporting her mom and herself; however, it has been increasingly challenging as constant medical bills, rent, etc., are overwhelming Albena's daughter. Cancer is not only physically and emotionally challenging but also financially. Recently, she has not been able to walk without the help of her daughter, and she has been getting weaker day by day. Albena has been fighting for her daughter; unfortunately, she has already started looking into hospice.

We are reaching out to the community to help support her journey. Any contribution, big or small, will make a tremendous difference in her life. Your generosity will help cover medical expenses, rent, and bills.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story and for any support you can provide.