UPDATE September 5, 2023
At 9:40 p.m. last night Jeffy passed very peacefully while being held by all three of his living children and loving wife, Janet. While our hearts are broken, we are so grateful to their community for endless support of Jeff & Janet and our family. <3 <3 <3
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My name is Ceilidh and I am putting together this fundraiser for my Mother and Father-In-Law - Jeff and Janet Prottas.
As many of you know, Jeff was diagnosed with cancer and the disease has rapidly progressed to the point that he has chosen to discontinue treatment and be at home with the love of his life - Janet and their two pups.
We want to allow Janet to focus on celebrating the incredible life and love she and Jeff built together over their years together. As Jeff said in his wedding vows, they are "a friendship caught fire" and we want that love to burn as long and as comfortably as possible as long as Jeff is here.
As her kids, of course, we have noticed that Janet is struggling not just emotionally, but there is a great financial burden that has become a distraction and a constant source of worry. Jeff was laid off from his job about six months ago and unfortunately they have fallen behind on some things, as well as facing a heap of new expenses in the upcoming unexpected medical and memorial expenses.
As her family we are doing everything we can possibly do to help manage these unexpected costs, but Janet will need more support than we can get to her.
This GoFundMe is difficult for Janet to accept, as you can imagine. She has spent decades reaching out and holding others going through tough times, so this is uncomfortable.
However, we know she has friends and family that want to help and this gives them an outlet to do so.
Some of the upcoming and current expenses include:
- Past due bills
- Some medical costs
- Celebration of Life/funeral expenses
- Rent and Utilities until she can figure out her move-forward plan.
If you feel you can help out - thank you so much, we are eternally grateful. If you feel you are unable to at this time, thank you so much for your prayers and positive thoughts that Jeff makes this transition as a beautiful journey 'home.'
This was the song played at Jeff & Janet's wedding. It feels incredibly appropriate to this moment in time.
https://youtu.be/sp6zoc84NcU?si=1-t59oTDM9VXYi7O (Marc Cohn, True Companion)
Much love xoxoxo,
The Prottas/Price/Diedrich families
p.s. - Note, as she is in the US and I am Canadian, I had to set up an account in her name in order for her to withdraw the funds appropriately.