Mom to Many: In Celebration of Colleen's Life
Donation protected
COLLEEN CORDY MARTIN
12/31/60 - 10/30/20
Our mom, Colleen, was hospitalized since July 11th following an unexpected illness.
Over the last four months, she endured more than any person should; diverticulitis which progressed to sepsis, chronic infections, and an immune system debilitated by a recent diagnosis of underlying bone marrow cancer.
She had many ups and downs in the last 16 weeks of her life, and she faced it all with her characteristic fierceness and stubbornness. She entered palliative care on Monday, October 26th. On October 30th, our beautiful, amazing mom took her final breath. Our dad, her husband of 41 years, was next to her holding her hand. It was very peaceful.
Grief is hard and strange. We feel immense sadness, yes, but it is not heavy. We all feel a sense of lightness and relief that she is no longer in pain.
We are deeply moved by the outpouring of messages from so many since sharing the news of Colleen's illness and passing . The love you have for our mother has been a much needed consolation for us. We've seen firsthand how her down-to-earth and generous spirit made people feel welcomed, protected and loved. She truly was a "mom" to so many, and we all share in the loss of her from our world.
We’ve decided there will be no ‘funeral’, but a celebration of her life at our parents’ home; the home she made, that everyone felt welcome in, the home where she threw the best parties.
Many of you have reached out to express your want and willingness to help however you can. The fact of the matter is that we honestly could use your help—in the form of financial donations.
As we grieve and move forward, we must also bear the financial burdens left on our dad's shoulders— and the reality is we can't manage it alone.
Colleen did not have life insurance, and our family is doing our best to absorb the funeral home related expenses (which are just under $6,000). We also need to pool our resources to cover the costs of the celebration of her life (in lieu of a traditional funeral). Not to mention the unimaginable incoming medical bills that have yet to be tallied. Over the 112 days she spent in the hospital, Colleen received the best possible care from incredible medical staff at Manchester Memorial Hospital, Hartford Hospital, Gaylord Hospital, and MidState Medical Center in Connecticut. We (quite literally) will forever be indebted to the countless nurses and doctors who gave us more time with her than we otherwise would have had.
This year has been unfathomable for just about everyone, and we know the burdens everyone is facing. If you are able and would like to honor Colleen through a donation of any amount, we thank you from the bottom of very full hearts. We've set the fundraising goal at a modest $1,000 because any amount we receive truly will have an impact. Every bit of your support strengthens us as we navigate through these financial challenges together.
With love from Colleen's daughters and husband,
Amber, Courtney, Brittany, and Al Martin
12/31/60 - 10/30/20
Our mom, Colleen, was hospitalized since July 11th following an unexpected illness.
Over the last four months, she endured more than any person should; diverticulitis which progressed to sepsis, chronic infections, and an immune system debilitated by a recent diagnosis of underlying bone marrow cancer.
She had many ups and downs in the last 16 weeks of her life, and she faced it all with her characteristic fierceness and stubbornness. She entered palliative care on Monday, October 26th. On October 30th, our beautiful, amazing mom took her final breath. Our dad, her husband of 41 years, was next to her holding her hand. It was very peaceful.
Grief is hard and strange. We feel immense sadness, yes, but it is not heavy. We all feel a sense of lightness and relief that she is no longer in pain.
We are deeply moved by the outpouring of messages from so many since sharing the news of Colleen's illness and passing . The love you have for our mother has been a much needed consolation for us. We've seen firsthand how her down-to-earth and generous spirit made people feel welcomed, protected and loved. She truly was a "mom" to so many, and we all share in the loss of her from our world.
We’ve decided there will be no ‘funeral’, but a celebration of her life at our parents’ home; the home she made, that everyone felt welcome in, the home where she threw the best parties.
Many of you have reached out to express your want and willingness to help however you can. The fact of the matter is that we honestly could use your help—in the form of financial donations.
As we grieve and move forward, we must also bear the financial burdens left on our dad's shoulders— and the reality is we can't manage it alone.
Colleen did not have life insurance, and our family is doing our best to absorb the funeral home related expenses (which are just under $6,000). We also need to pool our resources to cover the costs of the celebration of her life (in lieu of a traditional funeral). Not to mention the unimaginable incoming medical bills that have yet to be tallied. Over the 112 days she spent in the hospital, Colleen received the best possible care from incredible medical staff at Manchester Memorial Hospital, Hartford Hospital, Gaylord Hospital, and MidState Medical Center in Connecticut. We (quite literally) will forever be indebted to the countless nurses and doctors who gave us more time with her than we otherwise would have had.
This year has been unfathomable for just about everyone, and we know the burdens everyone is facing. If you are able and would like to honor Colleen through a donation of any amount, we thank you from the bottom of very full hearts. We've set the fundraising goal at a modest $1,000 because any amount we receive truly will have an impact. Every bit of your support strengthens us as we navigate through these financial challenges together.
With love from Colleen's daughters and husband,
Amber, Courtney, Brittany, and Al Martin
Organizer and beneficiary
Courtney Autumn Martin Peck
Organizer
Manchester, CT
Albert Martin
Beneficiary