Help Leo and His Girls Through This Difficult Time

On the morning of September 15, we all lost a very special person in our lives. Bari Fazio was a mother, grandmother, wife, and friend.

Three years ago, tragedy struck the Fazio-Muldoon family and changed everything. Bari and Leo lost their middle daughter, Domenica Fazio. Neither of them batted an eye at gaining the additional responsibility of raising a four-year-old Sophia. This was their granddaughter, and she needed them in a big way. Deanna—we all know and love Deanna—we know the struggles, the highs, and the lows of one of the sweetest and most endearing young ladies I have ever met. Deanna stepped up and (as she told me today) became somewhat of a mom to Sophia too. The Fazio-Muldoon household was suffering, still grieving the loss of a daughter, a mother, and a sister. And just when they thought they were getting their feet under them again, tragedy struck again. Bari suffered a stroke. She needed long-term care; she could not take care of Deanna and Sophia alone. Leo, without hesitation, quit his job in DC so he could be in Iowa full-time and take care of HIS girls. Bari was confined to a wheelchair, and not too long after, she became bedridden. Leo and the girls rallied. They did what was needed and never complained. However, the loss of the DC job hurt the family financially. Bari's medical needs were hefty, and the bills are large.

We are hoping that we can all come together and take some of the weight off of Leo's shoulders. The medical needs for Bari over the last couple of years have been pretty significant. He has been a rock for this family and will need to take time to grieve. He has not taken any time, has barely slept since Bari took a turn for the worse. Deanna and Sophia are going to rely on Leo even more now that our beloved Bari is gone.