In memory of Bridget Jean Pettaway

Bridget Jean Pettaway, age 54, was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Bridget's soul was beautiful and strong willed she passed on this earth on July 10th 2021 at 9:32 PM. She was raised by Major and Shirley Pettaway and was the youngest sibling of her three sisters, Kimberly, Sandra, and Janet. She graduated from Johnston High School being an educated black woman in a hard community for African Americans.

She was 33 years old, due to high-blood pressure Bridget was diagnosed with kidney failure. She had multiple difficulties and struggles this independent and resilient mother stayed strong and raised two beautiful children, Amber and Selenia Pettaway. Bridget was a woman of many jobs and with adding her daily routine of dialysis to the list it did not stop her from being a full time mom. Constantly multitasking she would frequently have to bring her children to her treatment. No matter how tired she was she always made an effort to participate in her daughters' events and hobbies. She always made it known that her biggest motivator was her girls.

Throughout Bridget's life she has come across many obstacles and repeat trips to the hospital. However, she made it very clear that she did not want her illness to define her, prevent her happiness and stop her from lending out a hand to those who she thought needed it more than her. Bridget was so special because she always put others well being before her own in her eyes she said "someone else is having it worse than me".

In 2018 things took a turn for the worst, Bridget was diagnosed with a blood infection in her spine that led her to be hospitalized. She was in an excruciating amount of pain and lost her ability to walk and do basic daily activities. She was sent to a rehabilitation center for 6 months to regain her strength. Despite this her determination and love for her daughters, she still had the strength to laugh, smile and keep her head held high.

Then in the following year Bridget discovered a rash on her left breast. Taking a trip to several medical facilities, where either no one could make a proper diagnosis or refused to help. She was placed in Miriam Hospital, where she received what was called "a touch of MRSA" and was then transferred to a specialist at Mass General Hospital to be properly diagnosed with Calciphylaxis (the final stage of renal disease).

As this complication continued to spread across her breast, a conclusion was made to proceed with a double mastectomy to completely remove this renal complication. After her dialysis treatment, she was due for surgery and fully recovered until she coded and lost oxygen for six minutes. During that time Bridget was in a coma and would not wake up for around a week. Once she woke up, she was tasked with relearning how to walk, talk and live her daily lifestyle. It took some time, but with the support of her daughters and loved ones, she recovered and tried to live her life to the fullest.

Towards the end of June 2021, Bridget started experiencing some severe back pain which started impeding her ability to walk. On July 3rd, after finding the strength to still get up from dialysis at 4 am and drive back home se requested for an ambulance to take her to get checked out.

At Miriam Hospital, she was diagnosed with a severe bacterial infection in her blood called "MRSA"...It had started from her left eye and spread throughout her entire body. She was transferred to Rhode Island hospital where an Ophthalmologist was specialized to treat her. However, during every visit a new problem was found within. On July 7th, her family was informed that she was diagnosed with endocarditis in her left side. There were blood clots found in her body and one had traveled to her left eye, and had issues with her memory throughout the week. There was only so much they could do with the traveling clots.

On July 10th, Bridget was very lucid, talking normally, and so we all thought things were turning for the better because she sounded so much better. Visiting hours were between 2-7 but her daughters would stay after just to get some extra time with her. Throughout this day she texted, and called friends and family like any other day, not remembering how she was during the past couple of days. At 8:00 her daughter left to go home and told her she would see her tomorrow, giving her a kiss and telling her she loved her. At 8:15 p.m Bridget's heart had stopped due to a blood clot that had traveled to her heart, causing a massive heart attack; she was found on the floor after hitting her head. At 8:25 p.m RI Hospital emergency made calls to her daughters to inform them that they were trying everything they could to bring her back. Unfortunately, at 9:32 p.m. after an hour of chest compressions to bring Bridget back, they were unsuccessful and she had sadly passed.

Between her pain and spirit, Bridget kept fighting and looked forward to a hopeful future.

Words could never describe how strong of a person she was and how beautiful her soul was to others.

Bridget left knowing everyone was in safe hands. She will be missed by her friends, family, her two daughters and her surviving sister Janet and Sandra.

This page was made to share her story with the world and those that knew. However, this only shows a piece of the hardships of raising two girls with a chronic disease and recurrent illnesses.

Bridget was the second longest living patient on dialysis for 20 years as of this year. She would still be here to this day if it wasn't for catching MRSA for a second time.

Her family would like to give Bridget the celebration of her life that she well deserved. All proceeds will go towards her memorial ceremony, medical expenses, and helping her daughters with the upcoming hardships.