Hello all. My name is Becca Blake.

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the sudden passing of Candace Hadwen, the beloved daughter of my best friend Sarah (Smith) Zustra, on October 10, 2025. Her unexpected departure has left a hole in the hearts of all who knew her. Candace was a powerful force, her energy infectious and her spirit infallible. She never took “no” for an answer, pushed limits, and never gave up. She almost always had a twinkle in her eyes, somewhere between a thirst for adventure and just pure excitement for what each day would bring. Even on her hard days, you could count on Candace to make you smile. She was a bright light, full of love, laughter, and kindness—taken far too soon.

No parent should ever have to endure the loss of a child, and during this unimaginable time, we want to ease the financial burden on Sarah and her family. This fundraiser is to help bring Candace home from Nebraska so that she may be laid to rest, to cover wake and/or funeral costs, and to provide additional support for Sarah as she will likely need some time away from work to grieve this tremendous loss.

Every donation, no matter how small, is deeply appreciated. If you are unable to donate financially, please consider sharing this page with others who may be able to help.

Let’s all come together as a community and support Sarah in bringing her daughter home.