The Story

On February 4th, our family’s world was devastated. A house fire—later determined to be an act of arson—claimed the lives of our beloved family members, Chelo (76) and Yola (82), and destroyed the home that served as the heart of our family for decades.

A Bond of Devotion

Chelo was in the midst of a difficult recovery from emergency hip surgery due to a fall caused by supermarket neglect . Her sister, Yola, had moved in without hesitation to become her full-time caretaker, ensuring Chelo was safe, fed, and loved every single day.

In the early morning hours of the fire, as flames engulfed the home, Chelo was briefly seen on the porch. Her final words to a neighbor were a testament to her heart: “I need to go back and get my sister.” Neither emerged from the house. Chelo passed at the scene. Yola suffered cardiac arrests and despite care and treatment, she passed at the hospital.

A Search for Coco

Amidst our immeasurable grief, we are searching for Coco, Chelo's beloved dog and constant companion. She has not been found and we hope she may have run to safety. Coco is microchipped, and we are desperately searching for her. Finding her would mean holding on to a living piece of what was lost.

More Than a Home

This home was not just a house. It was the heart of our family and the realization of the American dream for a young family that migrated from Mexico decades ago. It was shared by seven siblings and two generations of children and family. It was a sanctuary where multiple generations gathered to celebrate. It was a central and safe place for everyone to retreat to whenever they need it. Today, that legacy of love and sacrifice has been reduced to ashes.

How You Can Help

We are traumatized from our losses. Your donations will go toward:

• Funeral and Memorial Services for Chelo and Yola.
• Medical and End-of-Life Expenses.
• The Search for Coco: Funding efforts to bring her home.
• Arson Cleanup: Professional debris and hazardous rubble removal.
• Rebuilding the Legacy: Helping the surviving family members begin to recover and rebuild what was lost.

If you cannot donate, please share this page. If you are in the area, please keep an eye out for Coco. Above all, we ask for your prayers and support as we navigate our darkest hour.

Thank you for your love, prayers and understanding as we grieve. It means more to us than we can express.