Losing a spouse is a terrible, wrenching blow no one should ever experience, let alone twice. We, LuAnn's children and family, are creating this page in hope of raising money to help with the funeral costs, medical expenses and daily expenses she will be facing with the recent loss of her husband Rich.

Our stepfather Rich was a wonderful, loving, family man who was taken from us way too soon on 11/11/2016. He lit the spark that died when Mom lost her previous husband, Ed. He let her love again. Rich provided her with love and support. He took in Mom's children as his own and doted upon his grandchildren. He loved them as much as life.

On August 8, 2016, Rich went in for routine knee replacement surgery. Within a day of surgery the complications began: low blood pressure and incoherence. He ended up in ICU. Rich made it out, but days later was sent back: the knee surgery scar burst open and needed to be surgically closed. We began worrying about infection.

The worries were justified. Rich’s doctors couldn’t find the infection or the cause of his excruciating back pain. In spite of everything we didn’t know, Rich was released from the hospital again with an order for daily antibiotic infusions for the next six weeks.

He pushed through the pain to attend his niece’s wedding in September. Falls and continued pain kept him confined to a hospital bed in the living room. Rich didn’t let that keep him from seeing his daughter’s marriage the next month. He even managed to dance with the bride before the pain was too much.

The month after saw Rich taken by ambulance to the hospital after another fall. By now he had no strength in his legs.

Although doctors had been telling us for weeks that an MRI was impossible, a doctor finally took the time to verify that. Turns out the mesh was non-metallic and the MRI was done. It revealed an infection in one disc. Doctors performed emergency surgery and said they were able to clear it.

The good news lasted about two days. Rich’s spirits were improving until 11/11, when he began vomiting and experiencing stomach pain. His blood pressure dropped dramatically. Family joined hands around him as Rich’s pain finally ended. He wasn’t hurting anymore, but we had to ask - how does this happen?

In a matter of 10 hours, Rich's health went from serious to life-ending - something that should never happen, let alone to two husbands in a row. LuAnn lost both to similar, unexplained rapid health declines. We will fight to find answers for Rich.

Our mother is devastated. We all are. These next few months will be hard for her. We are asking for donations to help out so she can take the time to grieve. We don't want her worrying how she will make ends meet like we see her doing currently.  Anyone that knows our Mom knows what a strong, caring, loving person she is. She's always there for us, not to mention her friends and coworkers. She’s been through more hardships than anyone should have to go through. Our hearts are breaking that she has to go through this again.

Between cremation, lost wages, mortgage and car payments, traveling, a memorial in NY and a possible autopsy, death is very expensive for those who remain. Please help us shoulder at least the financial cost of her loss.

Our family and I thank you.





-Nicole Sawchuck, Vanessa Rodriguez, Kristy Fry, Ted Sawchuck, Dylan Warner