My dear father, Jose L. Lopez passed away on November 15th, 2019 after a long battle with liver cancer. He was one of the best fathers I could have ever asked for. He was loving, kind, generous, funny, and a wonderful husband and father.


Never once when he was in the hospital or when he was receiving chemotherapy did he complain about being in pain. He had so much will to live and he was such a warrior. No amount of medical knowledge prepared me to see my dad die before me, but I am grateful for the experience and that I was there to help him calm down in his final moments. My dad used to be a chemist in Mexico, undergoing research, but later on he traveled to the U.S to gain a better life. He fought for me in order to grant me the future that he wanted me to have. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without him. He taught me how to preserve and to take life by the horns. In his last few days, he taught me deeper levels of unconditional love and patience. I don’t think there are any words that can describe how incredible of a person he was, not only to me, but to everyone around him. I cannot express how much of a wonderful father he was no matter how hard I try. I'm such a lucky daughter.


I will always remember one of fondest memories of my dad - which was when we would go to Old Town every Sunday when I was tiny and I would go on a trampoline ride. He would push me like I was on a swing and tell me to look at the camera (He loved movies just as much as I did and wanted to record so many home videos!!!) as Holiday by Madonna was playing in the background. He was the person who helped me discover my artistic side and supported it. Whenever I look at my hands now, I think of him. He always commented how we both had "artist hands".


I know he is always with me. I felt his presence in the room as he withdrew from his physical body. I know he will guide me for the rest of my life and he will see me continue my education and become the best medical professional that I always wanted to be. He will be there on my wedding day, my nursing school graduation, and when my children will be born. I will tell my future children how much of a soldier their grandfather was and how much he loves them (He wanted 10 grandchildren!!!!)


Although the silence is more prominent nowadays, I always seek out comfort from him in the midst of it all. I will continue to do everything in his honor, just like how he worked so hard for me and my mom. I will carry his legacy and his strength. I will remember Jose Lopez as a man of God, an incredible husband, but most of all a father who shown me what it means to work hard and to spread love and kindness.


Thank you to everyone who has send me words of encouragement and comfort. I wish I was able to hug all of you as both me and my mom navigate through this new normal.


I have linked a gofundme page for medical/memorial/funeral costs and anything else that both my mom and me will need in the future.