Our family is asking for help for my aunt, Lisa Sokaris, who is doing everything she can to care for her mom — my grandmother, Joanne Sokaris — as she nears the end of her journey on hospice.

Joanne’s health has been declining quickly. She’s been experiencing confusion, frequent falls, and terrifying moments where she struggles to breathe. She’s also suffered multiple heart attacks, and it’s become clear that her time is very limited. Hospice nurses visit when they can, but they can’t be there 24/7. Lisa has been her constant — caring for her day and night, helping her move, eat, and stay safe, and holding her hand when things get scary. Joanne lost her husband, Ted Sokaris, in 2010 and her other daughter, Barbara, last year. Her once big family has now dwindled down to Lisa and her granddaughters, who have busy families and jobs of their own despite them still trying to help when they can.

Lisa has already missed a lot of work and will need to take even more time off as Joanne’s condition worsens. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been at her job long enough to receive paid time off or benefits, meaning every day she stays home to care for her mom is a day without income — all while bills continue to pile up.

On top of that, Lisa will soon have to face end-of-life costs, which she simply isn’t prepared for.

Lisa is the only one able to be there for Joanne, and she’s doing it out of love, devotion, and strength — but she can’t do it alone. We’re hoping to raise funds to help cover household bills, living expenses, and upcoming cremation costs, so Lisa can focus on what truly matters right now: being with her mom in her final days.

If you can donate — no matter the amount — it would mean the world to our family. And if you can’t give, please consider sharing this page to help us reach others who might be able to.

Your kindness, generosity, and prayers will help ease an unbearable situation and give a daughter the gift of being fully present with her mother as she says goodbye.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

The Sokaris Family