My name is Sean Chapman, and I have the honor of being the son of an incredible woman, Ileana Chapman.

On November 24, 2025, just after celebrating her birthday surrounded by those who loved her, my mom passed away after a long, courageous battle with colorectal cancer that quickly spread throughout her abdomen. Even in the hardest moments, the surgeries, hospital stays, and the days where breathing itself was a fight – she never stopped being who she was at her core: loving, faithful, stubbornly hopeful, and fiercely devoted to us...her family.

She was 6 years cleared of cancer from her original diagnosis, and she was a light because Mom lived cancer-free. In Nov 2024, her scans, colonoscopy, and tests all came back clear and perfect. We all believed she had beat it. Then, in Sept 2025, everything changed very quickly. The cancer not only returned but returned in a way that nothing could be done...it was that aggressive. She was immediately diagnosed with a malignant obstruction, she needed drain tubes in her stomach, and IV to receive nutrition because she was unable to eat food. And so, she spent her final months with incredible pain that she handled with more grace than most of us show on our best days.

Through it all, she still asked about everyone else first.

She worried if we were eating and taking care of ourselves.

She apologized when we had to help her move to the restroom.

She also believed there might be a chance for healing, and we held that hope with her even as we internally prepared to say goodbye.

We were lucky to be with her at the end, to hold her hand, share photos and memories with her of the old times, to tell her “thank you” and “I love you,” as we watched her slip away after her one last birthday. Her life was not defined by the last weeks, but by decades of love, faith in Jesus, hard work, and total sacrifice for us...her family.

Now we are trying to honor her and do our part for the community. We are raising funds to help with:

Cleveland Clinic Hospital Foundation Giving AND the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. They are both renowned for their cancer research and they are known for funding medical breakthroughs because a large part of their budgets goes to medical research.

Any amount, no matter how small, is deeply appreciated. If you can’t give financially, sharing this page or simply keeping us in your thoughts means more than you know.

I want this GoFundMe to read like a toast we’d give for her at the table:

To my Mom...

For the countless meals you cooked, the advice you gave (even when I didn’t want to hear it and you were still right), the way you turned ordinary days into memories, and the strength you showed when life gave you more than anyone should have to carry. You fought so hard. You loved even harder. I will carry your love forward in everything I do.

Thank you for helping us give her a legacy that reflects the depth of the life she lived and the love she leaves behind.

With gratitude,

Sean Chapman & Family