In Loving Memory of My Mom DAISY VALDEZ

Hello, everyone! My name is Paul Valdez and I am kindly asking for your help. My mother Daisy Valdez passed away on September 13, 2022 after years of battling different medical conditions.

Born in the Philippines on April 21, 1942, Daisy Puyat was the youngest of four siblings. My Aunt Bessie, Uncle Lito, and Aunt Melly all pitched in to look after her when they were kids. Once she grew older, she met my father Basilio Valdez on a blind date. They fell in love and got married on November 21, 1964. In 1976 they immigrated to the United States where they had me and my younger sister Sarah. Sarah was born with Down syndrome and my mom considered her the most precious gift she can have in this world.

My mom was a vibrant, enthusiastic, caring, and loving person. She enjoyed being active in her parish St. Genevieve in Los Angeles. A servant leader, she was part of many different church committees such as the Environmental Art Committee and the Simbang Gabi Committee, which coordinated the annual Christmas Filipino cultural mass for the parish.

In 2011, my mom suffered from depression which took a toll on her and our family. The depression prevented my mom from being her true self, a person who had brought joy to so many people. I did not know the great challenges of mental health until I witnessed my mom suffering from this sickness. We were able to get some help but ultimately it was insufficient. In 2017, my mom suffered a stroke, and about 4 months later, my father suddenly passed away. It was at this time that I decided to take care of my mom full-time. I chose not to work a regular job so I could come home immediately in case of a medical emergency. I hired a part-time caregiver to allow myself some minor breaks and time to make money by driving the rideshare gigs such as Uber and Lyft. Thankfully, my mom had a pension and In-Home Support Services to provide some funds for our daily living. I had been taking care of my mom for five years until 4:19am, September 13, 2022 when our Heavenly Father brought her back home.

As I write this, I am in tears because of all the special memories that remain. Despite the hardships from these past five years, I very much miss the little things about my mom like her calling herself the "Queen of the Household" and calling my sister "the little queen," me going to the grocery store to shop for my mom's food and items, seeing the clothes she left behind, her filling the now-empty hospital bed that's in her room, and my coming home from doing Uber and checking in on her. I still peek through the door of her empty room, imagine her lying on the bed, and remember all the times when she would see me with a fond look on her face as she would say, "Oh, I'm glad you are home! I was so worried."

I would like to give my mom a proper farewell service for the light she has brought into the world and the love she taught my sister and me. Having been in "survival" mode the past 5 years, we were unable to save money. With her passing, the pension and IHSS funding ends and I still have to take care of my sister and support her disability care. While I look ahead to start anew and figure ways to get back on my feet, I could use financial help to make sure my mom has the most respected, holy service she deserves. I sincerely appreciate anything that you can provide by October 3 when costs are due for her service. Above all, please pray for my Mom, Sarah, and me. Thank you for your time, and may God bless you.