I never imagined having to write something like this.

Our family is in the middle of an unimaginable loss. My stepfather, Mark, is currently on life support and dying after suffering a severe stroke on Christmas morning, and we are preparing to say goodbye while also facing the reality that we simply do not have the financial means to handle what comes next.

We are asking for help because we truly have no other option.

Between mounting medical expenses, cremation and memorial costs, and the sudden loss of income that helped support the household, my family is overwhelmed. On top of the grief, there is real fear about how my mom will manage financially once he is gone.

My mom’s mortgage alone is higher than her monthly income, and her fixed income does not cover basic needs like food and utilities. The goal of this fundraiser reflects several months of housing and basic living expenses, along with memorial costs, to give her stability while we navigate next steps.

My mom is disabled and unable to work. She shares the home with my sister and her two sons, and my sister has also been living with chronic illness for many years and is unable to financially support the household. This loss affects an entire family already living with very limited options.

Mark has been in my life since 1988. He helped raise my sisters and I, and he has been Papa to all of our children. He was a steady, loving presence in our lives for decades, and losing him leaves an immeasurable hole in our family.

This is incredibly hard to admit, but there is no money set aside for:

Cremation or funeral arrangements

Outstanding and incoming medical bills

Mortgage payments and basic living costs in the months ahead

Mark loved the outdoors and the mountains. He introduced me to skiing and snowboarding, and some of my most meaningful memories with him are in nature. Those moments will always stay with me.

We are not asking for luxury or excess.

We are asking for stability during grief — the ability to lay my stepfather Mark to rest with dignity and give my mom time to breathe, mourn, and figure out the next steps without the immediate threat of losing her home.

Any funds raised beyond our immediate needs will go toward ongoing housing stability and basic living support for my mom, who is disabled and unable to work.

Any amount helps. Truly. Whether it’s a donation, a share, or simply holding our family in your thoughts — it all matters more than you know.

If you are able to help, we are deeply grateful. If you can’t, we understand completely and thank you for reading and caring.

With love and appreciation — and a very deep breath,

Monique (Mo)