Maria Franklin's Burial Fund

For those who truly knew Maria Franklin, they knew that under her tough and complicated exterior, was a kind, gentle, loving, and compassionate soul. Maria had such a passion for Animals of all types, with the largest soft spot belonging to Cats. If she had her way, she would have adopted every single one from every single shelter, named it, and gave it a forever home with her. Maria also had a passion and deep appreciation for the Arts and Artists. Whether it be Music or Poetry, Fantasy Photos or pictures of the Moons and Stars. If it got her attention, she made it a point to share it with others. Something else she truly loved to do, was laugh.  And when she turned her sense of humor loose on you, you were hopelessy sucked in to it.  Whether or not you got the joke, just watching her response to it was enough to melt your heart and make you smile. Maria also had a dark side to her personality that she did her best to defeat and control, but given her situation in life and the cards that she was dealt, it ultimately took her. She struggled with anxiety and depression, mood swings, prescription drug abuse (that went unregulated) and even at times, hallucinations. She was literally held prisoner in her own mind at times, and did everything she could to find peace. She was so broken at times, that it was hard to watch, and even harder to understand. Never did I feel so helpless when she was having one of her 'bad times'. I did the best I could for her, always being mindful to never shame or embarass her, through both the good and bad times. Maria never did have much in terms of material things and always made do with what she had. She lived as a pauper when she should have been afforded the simplest of luxuries that most of us take for granted. At the time of her death, she had the clothes on her back with a few in the closet, a used car that was inoperable due to the need for brakes that she couldn't afford, and a few assorted knickknacks in her sparse apartment. She had no life insurance or any savings, and she had been sustaining on the meager amount of money Social Security gave her.  Maria's older sibling's have fared no better, each living alone, and also trying to survive on Social Security, with the exception of her sister Kathy, who is married. There is no money anywhere to be found to have a proper funeral and burial for her, so I have taken on the honor of attempting to raise the funds required to have her creamated and inturned with her Parents (who have since passed as well). The funds are needed immediately so that the Funeral Home can release her remains to Kathy, but even she can't afford to take on this large of a financial burden. So this is where YOU, my Dear Friends, can help. I've heard these past few days a lot of you asking what you can do for me, and I can't possibly think of a better thing for you to do. Please donate to this fund. Help a broken family lay their Angel to rest, so that they may let their healing begin, and so that Maria may truly rest in the peace she so desperately sought.

On behalf of the Franklin Family, my sincerest thanks to any donations made. God Bless.