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Support for the family of Denise Nickerson

We are Joshua and Jasmine Nickerson, Denise Nickerson's only son and daughter-in-law. You may know Denise personally or you may know her as Violet Beauregard from the 1971 movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, or as Amy Jennings or Nora Collins from the 1960s vampire drama Dark Shadows, or from many other shows or movies in the 60s and 70s.

We are Denise's only immediate family and caretakers. Last year, you may have heard that Denise suffered a severe stroke that caused extreme damage. It's been a long, hard year, and we  have been with her and caring for her everyday since then. Jasmine quit her job to stay at home with her full-time so she didn't have to live in a nursing home. We gave up over half of our income at that time and have done everything we can to survive. Joshua works a second job to float us for groceries and necessities. We found out in January we are pregnant with out first child, due August 26th. 

Monday (07/08/19) Jasmine had an appointment to see her doctor for the baby. Josh drove up there and then went back home to Denise. In the 7 minutes we were gone, Denise got into her medicines and took as much as she could. Josh stopped her and rushed her to the ER. At some point during this event, she aspirated, and caught pneumonia. She was stabilized and kept for observation. 
Yesterday morning, Tuesday (07/09/19), Denise suffered a massive seizure. This event, paired with the weakness from the stroke and issues she had from that, and the pneumonia caused her to stop exhaling carbon dioxide from her body. She began to experience blood poisoning and her body shut down. She's been in a coma-like state. She cannot be saved. We've been up here with her most of the day and she's experienced multiple additional seizures. At 3 am (07/10/19) we decided because the machines and medicines are not helping her but only making her more uncomfortable, that its okay to stop administering these things to her. We are heartbroken and reliving a grief we've lived every single day since she had the stroke over a year ago. 

We don't know how much time she has. It could be minutes. It could be hours. But no matter what, she's already gone. We are sitting here with her just trying to keep her comfortable and let her know it's okay. 

But we need help. We cannot afford to pay for death expenses. Although she had the fame and notoriety, there is no inheritance. No life insurance. No end of life nest egg. Just our income which isn't even enough. And Denise's wish is to be cremated and her ashes made into a piece of glass art. We will need to urgently pay for these things as well as need help with our home expenses. Rent, bills, groceries. Jasmine is not working due to her caring for Denise and trying to apply for jobs while home sick and pregnant, and Josh is missing work from both jobs to be here in the hospital.

This should be a happy time for us, but we are both sick with worry and now losing Denise. Stress is harming us both and putting our baby in danger too. We hate to ask but we desperately need help. We don't need flowers and or cards. We just need some peace of mind. It's 4 am now and we are saying our goodbyes and taking turns. If you can help us, we would be so very grateful. 

Thank you. We will miss our Mom/Neecers. We're sorry you couldn't meet your granddaughter. We love you.
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Donations 

  • Gary Crowley
    • $19 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Josh Nickerson
Organizer
Aurora, CO

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