Requesting help for funeral costs

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Dear friends and family,

 

By now you may know of yesterday’s passing of our beloved, Andy Michael Kazouris. Shortly upon receiving this news, our mom, aunt, and friend, Marilyn Miller (Kazouris) Leach also passed yesterday. The two were originally married in September of 1965 and although, they decided to live separate lives in the 1980’s, their departure within two hours of one another on Good Friday leaves us no doubt their hearts were inseparable.

 

As they have passed, they leave their four girls to pick up the pieces of their hearts while trying to let go of their departed parents. In some respects this isn’t for the first time. In 2005 when Andy had a stroke, it left him paralytic, requiring around the clock care which Medicaid never completely covered and, what was covered wasn’t recoverable by the money Christine earned. This left the house and Andy in the hands of neglectful strangers. This also meant that Michelle, Andrea, and Laurie had to work extra to pay for Andy’s remaining overhead and relieve Christine occasionally from his constant care as this became her “full-time job”. Truly, Andy survived the last 17 years by the grace of God and his daughters.

 

Our Marilyn on the other hand, loved her daughters fiercely as well as every soul that she encountered. I’m one of those souls - her niece. She worked any available qualified job - from waiting tables to elder care - to put food on the table while fighting IBS, skin cancer, and emphysema. Covid brought with it pneumonia and several hospitalizations which eventually claimed her life and renders her daughters unable to manage double funeral expenses.

 

In that respect, the family is asking for your assistance to pay this heaping bill. The estimated cost for both funerals is $10,000. So, rather than flowers or tribute gifts, please consider any size donation that you can afford.

 

I am also asking for you to post photographs of Marilyn and Andy during happy times with each of you. Tell us as much or little as you recall about the photo(s). Walk us through memory lane.

 

Sincerely, Maria Kazouris, niece to the departed and cousin to Christine, Michelle, Andrea, and Laurie.