FINAL UPDATE: Heartfelt thanks to all the donors to our campaign to raise money for Ramona Orlando-Thomas' Funeral expenses. From the $5 donations to the $1000 donations, they all helped us fund this very important opportunity to honor our beloved Mona and lay her to rest. We held the services on Friday,June 21st, at Ramona's home church, the Community Church of Folsom in Rutledge, PA. It was a lovely service and her friends and family embraced each other in mourning. May God Bless you all!

My name is Andrea Rees. My first cousin, Ramona(pictured on the far left of her deceased Mother and serviving sister,on the far right) went into the hospital a few months ago to have a cancerous tumor removed from one of her kidneys. There were complications and she lost a lot of blood. She spent more than two months in and out of a coma, hooked up to so many machines, including dialysis. It was hard to see a loved one in that state; I couldn't keep it together when I went to see her. She defied all odds and those who said,

"just pull the plug, she's too far gone". Her doctors were shocked when she fought through set back after set back to finally 'wake up', and communicate non-verbally. A couple of weeks ago she was well enough to go to rehab for physical therapy; we thought she had made it through the worst of it. Sadly, she developed a bed sore which led to sepsis. With her closest family waiting as the doctors tried to save her, she died in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 28th.

Ramona was 66 years old. She was pure of heart; almost child-like in her faith in God. She is survived by her sister Veronica, her brother Rick, her three grown children, grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and several cousins, like myself. I grew up with Ramona and she was more like a playful big sister when I was very young. She will be remembered well, by those who know and love her. Unfortunately, She did not have any life insurance or funds set aside for funeral or burial expenses.

I know these are difficult financial times for many of us; so many of us live paycheck to paycheck. If you are in the position to donate for Ramona's funeral expenses, we are grateful. If you can not donate, then please keep Ramona and her grieving family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Most sincerely,

Andrea Rees