It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this. Many members of the community are familiar with Isabel Tocohua (pictured above with her husband and daugher), her sisters Emma and Tayde, or her daughter, Mireya. They have worked in our homes alongside us... helping with housekeeping, laundry and childcare. Over the past six years, it has been my pleasure getting to know Isabel. Isabel is one of the most kind, generous, and hardworking people I have ever met. She would come to my house early in the morning, often while I was still asleep, when I was pregnant with my fourth baby. Without me asking, she would get my toddler daughter dressed, her hair done, diaper changed and even cook her a homemade breakfast. She never let a birthday slip by in our house without bringing a beautifully wrapped and extremely generous birthday gift.

In early 2022, Isabel was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. She fought it and a little over a year later was in remisision. Recently her health has taken a sharp decline. In the fall, she started to feel very weak and was not able to work as usual. Doctors diagnosed her with a rare auto-immune disease and she began treating that and felt a little better for a bit. However, a couple weeks ago new scans and biopsies revealed that the cancer had returned and spread throughout her body. It is now in her lungs, liver and surrounding her heart.

The goal is to make her as comfortable as possible in her remaining weeks. Isabel's health struggles have been taxing on the whole family both emotionally and financially. We want to raise funds to help lessen the financial burden. It is our hope for her to be surrounded by her full family the next few weeks, including her three young grandchildren. If you are able, please consider donating to this special cause. Thank you!

*** Update: We are heartbroken to hear that Isabel passed away this morning, July 30. All money raised will be given to her family to assist with medical and funeral expenses.