Many of you know our mom, Jo Ann. Aka Josi, Jo Jo, Jo Momma, Momma Llama, Grandma, Nama, and Nam-num. She is our best friend, confidante, who we go to for advice, and a shoulder to cry on. Without a doubt, she is the funniest person I know. She is also one of the kindest souls I have ever known. She gives without hesitation, even at times she had little to give. She has opened her home to many family members and friends who have needed help. She is that person that will pull over and offer to help a stranger needing a ride. I can’t tell you how many times she has called to tell me about so and so, who she saw walking down XYZ road and gave them a ride. Then proceeded to tell me their life story. She cares so much for the world around her and all the people and critters in it.

Many of you don’t know that she has been battling cancer once again. About a year ago, we discovered that her MALT Lymphoma had returned and that she also developed Gallbladder cancer (adenocarcinoma). We had hoped that her doctor was catching it early, as gallbladder cancer is fairly rare and aggressive. In January, she had surgery to remove her cancer-ridden gallbladder… in February, she had another surgery. This time to remove part of her liver and some surrounding tissue that was cancer filled. After her second surgery, we were again hopeful; it looked as if they had gotten all the cancer out with the surgeries. The plan was to start chemotherapy to ensure the adenocarcinoma didn’t return; then, she would go through another type of chemotherapy to address the MALT Lymphoma. The chemo didn’t work, and before we knew it, the adenocarcinoma was back and spreading. She tried several more types of chemo to slow the spread. By late spring, she received a terminal diagnosis. Curing her was no longer the goal of treatment; it would only extend what time she had left.

Every oncology appointment she had during the summer and early fall kept shortening her life expectancy. It went from one - two years down to four-six months in what felt like the blink of an eye.

It has become apparent that we are closing in on the final days of our Mother’s battle with cancer. She fought hard, determined to live long enough to meet her newest grandchild and soak up as much time with her loved ones as she could.

We want to give our mother the memorial she deserves when she passes. We want to honor and celebrate her memory and have the chance to say our final goodbyes.

We understand it’s the holiday season, and everyone is stretched a little thin; if you can help, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and if not, we understand. Any donations will go towards our Mother's funeral costs. Either way, we ask that you keep her and our family in your thoughts through this tough time and feel free to share some of your favorite memories. Thank you.