Hello, my name’s Brooke Dowd. I’m the store manager at Panda Express in Batavia, and I’m here to raise money for the family of an associate who recently passed away.

Ricardo NavaPena was originally from Guanajuato, Mexico. He and his wife, Audelia, were together for 44 years. Ricardo was 61 years old, and Audelia is 60. Together, they have five children: a son and four daughters.

They moved to the US 2 years ago with their youngest daughter and began working for Panda Express in Batavia. Their daughter began working with us shortly after as well. They expressed deep gratitude for the team welcoming them and taking them in.

Ricardo was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. He worked Monday through Saturday, averaging 35 hours a week alongside his wife. I witnessed not only hard work, but true partnership. What everyone, the team, his family, and myself will all remember is his smile.

Sadly, on Sunday, July 6th, Ricardo went to take a shower and suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Audelia heard him collapse and ran in. He was taken to Northwestern Hospital in Geneva, Illinois, but was brain dead upon arrival. Audelia was admitted as well due to high blood pressure.

On Tuesday, July 8th, Audelia had to make the choice to take Ricardo off life support. Surrounded by his wife, youngest daughter, and brothers and sister, Ricardo passed away.

I will never forget the depth of grief I witnessed from his loved ones after his passing. When a coworker and I showed up to the hospital after receiving the call that he had passed, Audelia saw us and fell into our arms. Her partner of 44 years was gone. While my Spanish is limited, I understood every whispered plea for Ricardo to come back.

The team at Panda was left in shock and mourning over the loss of someone so integral to our day-to-day. We will forever be grateful for Ricardo’s service and the privilege of having known and worked alongside him.

It is in our mourning that we come together to raise money to help Ricardo’s 3 other children get the chance to say goodbye. The family asks for help to ship his body to Mexico and for the cost of the funeral and medical expenses. Any amount will help. We all thank you, and God bless.