Caroline Gilleran Kirkpatrick Medical Expenses

In the winter of 2019, Caroline had what appeared to be a stroke. It was discovered that she had a brain hemorrhage. Doctors have diagnosed Caroline with a condition called amyloid angiopathy, and since 2019 she has had 7 brain hemorrhages. Since January, Caroline has been in and out of the hospital, rehab centers, and living facilities. Her insurance coverage has run out, and her family is currently paying out of pocket for her medical expenses. While her family would love her to be able to go home, she is in need of 24-hour care due to the tracheostomy, the feeding tube, and her cognitive state. Her family’s goal would be to eventually transfer Caroline closer to her daughter Kerry in San Francisco so she can continue to work and visit her mum more regularly. This was a goal Caroline herself had wished for before her last bleed. The proceeds of this GoFundMe will go toward Caroline’s medical expenses, her living facility bills, and additional costs this has placed on Caroline and her family. The impact of this woman’s life is immeasurable, and we are so grateful for any help you may be able to provide. Thank you!

A bit about Caroline:

Anyone with even the smallest interaction with Caroline Gilleran knows this woman's magnifying force on those around her. She carries a presence of tireless positivity, resilience, and the most captivating physical and spiritual genuineness a woman can hold. Born at home in Roscommon, Ireland, in 1946- Caroline Gilleran didn’t know what life held ahead for her, but her innate zeal for it gave her the groundwork to create one worthy of writing books about. Joining the convent as a Sister of Mercy at the age of 18 provided her with the supportive community of her sisters and fostered her constancy in not only her faith but her ability to connect in the most authentic way with another person. After spending 11 years as a Sister of Mercy, Caroline moved on to education and eventually toward creating a family of her own in San Diego, California.

In addition to her family abroad and her daughter, Caroline created another family within the Catholic school communities she taught at. Teaching for over 40 years in 6 different schools, Ms. Gilleran, or as some knew her- Mrs. Kirkpatrick is a name many children and adults will not forget. Spending most of her teaching years in Kindergarten, Caroline taught children the standards of reading, writing, arithmetic, and so much more.

I can say with confidence that this woman loved every child she taught and fostered their unique talents to become the people they are today, inspiring many (including her own daughter) to become teachers themselves. Caroline Gilleran has lived her life with so much love, grace, and enthusiasm for each day. As she told her daughter so often, “each day is a gift”- a value she still holds deeply despite her current circumstances. She has shown us all through her words and actions how mighty of an Irish woman she is, and we are all so grateful to have her in our lives.