If you knew our mom, then you knew she was a strong, compassionate, caring, and vibrant woman. Debbie Francisco was not just a wife, mother, and grandma—she was truly extraordinary.

Throughout her life, Mom did so many inspiring things. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working and raising two daughters. She served as a Girl Scout troop leader for many years, organized and led Relay for Life events to raise money for cancer research, and dedicated herself to helping others in countless ways.

Mom fostered many children before eventually adopting my sister and me. She spoke at conventions about fostering and adoption, and worked to raise awareness about recognizing signs of child abuse and how to help those in need. If Mom loved you, she had your back—always ready to listen, offer advice, or simply be there when you needed her.

This past year was incredibly difficult. Mom battled stage 5 kidney failure and spent much of her time in and out of the hospital, undergoing dialysis. She fought so hard to maintain her health. Our dad took amazing care of her, doing everything he could while staying strong for our family.

In the last few months, it was heartbreaking to watch her grow weaker and no longer be herself. All Mom wanted was to be home, surrounded by her family and her dogs. In the end, she was exactly where she wanted to be—surrounded by love.

We miss her more than words can express.

We are asking for help to ease some of the financial strain on our dad during this incredibly difficult time. Any support, no matter the amount, means so much to our family. Thank you for your kindness, love, and support.