Update on Cathy: Forever Our Gigi (November 2025)

On November 1st, our incredible mom, and wife Cathy — lovingly known as “Gigi” — passed away after facing her illness with unshakable courage, grace, and strength. She never gave up. Even in her hardest moments, she was thinking of others, sassy as ever, and reminding us to take care of ourselves. That’s just who she was — endlessly selfless, full of love, and stronger than anyone we’ve ever known. Even in her final moments, she thought of us over herself and we will never forget how brave and hard she fought.

Our family is completely heartbroken. She was the center of our world — a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and Gigi who gave everything she had to her family. The hardest part is knowing how deeply she’ll be missed by her granddaughter, Sophia, who was her absolute pride and joy.

Anyone who knew my mom was lucky to know her. She had this rare ability to make people feel seen, loved, and cared for — whether you were a close friend, a coworker, or someone she just met. Her kindness, humor, and strength touched so many lives, and her impact will be felt forever.

Cathy also took tremendous pride in her work. It wasn’t just a job to her — it was something she truly loved and poured her heart into every single day. Her work family meant the world to her, and she wanted them to know how much she loved them. She worked tirelessly to support our family and took so much pride in doing so.

We’re still processing this tremendous loss and learning how to navigate life without her. In the coming weeks, we’ll share more about how we plan to celebrate her beautiful life and the incredible legacy she leaves behind. For now, we’re asking for help as we face the financial challenges ahead. My mom was the heart and backbone of our family — the one who held everything together and cared for us all. Any support during this time, whether through donations, shares, or kind words, means more than we can express. Donations will go toward funeral expenses, immediate household needs, and helping my dad and brother adjust in the months ahead. It will make a difference as we find our footing again.

Thank you for your love, your prayers, and the continued support you’ve shown our family throughout her journey. It has brought us comfort hearing how she touched so many lives with stories of her generousity, amazing personality, and how good of a person she was to all.

Gigi fought so hard, and we’ll carry her love and strength with us always.

Help My Mom, Cathy (Gigi), on Her Journey Back to Health (April 2025)

Hi, my name is Sam, and I’m writing this on behalf of my amazing mom, Cathy—also known as Gigi to her loved ones.

My mom is the strongest person I know. She has faced every challenge life has thrown at her with courage, grace, and an unshakable sense of humor. She’s the kind of person who takes care of everyone else, even when she’s the one who needs the help—and she never complains.

If you know our family, you know we don’t usually ask for help. We’re used to pushing through hard times as a unit, leaning on each other, and doing our best to figure things out on our own. My mom, especially, is tough. She is a fighter! She will never show when she needs help—even when she truly does. I’ll probably get in trouble here for even putting this out there, but the truth is… this time, we do need it. And if anyone is able to help, it would mean the world to us.

A little over a year ago, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. She went through months of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy—fighting through it all with the strength that defines her. Recently, after signs that her cancer may be progressing, she began another intense round of double chemotherapy. Not long after, she was admitted to the hospital with a brain bleed.

Since then, she’s faced:

A subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)

Several small strokes

A large buildup of fluid around her heart that required surgery

A rapidly worsening fluid buildup around her lungs

A blood clot

Heart valve issues

And all of this while still undergoing cancer treatment.

When she was first admitted, the medical team discussed how critical her condition was. She was facing multiple life-threatening issues at once, and even palliative care was considered. Her doctors weren’t sure she could overcome everything she was facing. But my mom didn’t show any signs of giving up. She didn’t present as someone who was near death—she showed up with the same determination and strength she’s always had. Despite the overwhelming odds, she defied expectations at every turn, surpassing milestones and proving just how resilient she is. Now, she’s hoping to leave the hospital soon and continue her fight against cancer.

What keeps her going the most is her love for our family—especially her granddaughter, Sophia. That little girl is her entire heart, and being there for Sophia is what motivates Gigi to keep fighting every single day. In fact, just recently, Sophia, who’s been calling the hospital "the hostible" (because, well, she’s four), brought Gigi a special gift. After a fun Easter egg hunt, she couldn’t wait to come back to the hospital and share all the eggs she’d found with her Gigi. It’s those small, sweet moments—like Sophia’s love and thoughtfulness—that give Gigi that extra strength. It’s a reminder that no matter what, love from her family is her secret weapon.

We’ve set a goal of $20,000 to cover my mom’s immediate hospital costs, treatments, and medications. As she continues her recovery, we expect additional expenses for follow-up care and ongoing treatment. We’re deeply grateful for every donation, no matter the size, and for the love and support you’ve already shown us. Every bit helps her on her journey back to health!

My mom is the primary provider for our family, and while her work family has been amazing, the financial strain is overwhelming. Beyond her own health challenges, she cares for my dad, my brother, and her 83-year-old mother, all of whom depend on her. With everything she’s facing, the financial burden is more than we ever imagined.

As her daughter, my goal is to make sure she gets everything she needs for recovery. The costs—hospital stays, treatments, and daily expenses—are piling up, and we need help to manage it.

If you’re able to donate, it would take a huge weight off our shoulders and go directly toward my mom’s care and recovery. Whether it’s $5 or $500, every donation shows Gigi she’s not fighting this alone. And if you can’t donate right now, sharing this or keeping her in your thoughts and prayers means more than you know. We’ve already felt so much love and support, and we’re beyond grateful for it.

If you’ve ever met my mom, you know she’s the first to offer a hand, a meal, or a listening ear when someone else is in need. Now, it’s our turn to show up for her.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us during this incredibly challenging time. My mom has always been the strongest person I know—and with your support, I know she’ll get through this too. Thank you for helping me take care of the person who’s always taken care of everyone else.

With love and gratitude,

Sam