Help Support Tina Through the Loss of Her Best Friend

I’m starting this GoFundMe because my mom would never ask for help, but if there’s ever been a time in her life that she truly needs it, it’s now. Many of you have also been asking how you can help, and this would be the most impactful way to help in supporting her.

On July 24th of this year, after 22 years with John Deere, my mom found out she was part of a massive layoff. This was already devastating, but what made it worse was that she’s had four unsuccessful knee surgeries over the past 18 months, with a fifth scheduled for November 5th. Losing her job meant losing her health insurance, and with only a week’s notice, she had to enroll in a special plan that costs $600 a month just to make sure she could still have her surgery. To ease the financial burden, she and my dad, Kevin, decided to remove him from her insurance temporarily until they could switch over during his employer’s open enrollment. Since he was generally in good health, it seemed like a safe decision.

After the layoff, my parents sat down to figure out how they’d adjust to living on a single income. My mom was eager to get back to work, but Kevin encouraged her to stay home so they could finally enjoy the empty nest and travel full-time in their RV—something they’d always dreamed of. It made sense, especially with her upcoming surgery limiting her ability to work, and it meant they could spend more time together, which was their greatest joy.

Tragically, they never got to live out that dream. On October 17th, 2024, my mom faced the most traumatic day of her life. What began around 4 p.m. became a nightmare that ended at the hospital, and ultimately, with her coming home without the love of her life.

The silver lining of her layoff was the extra time she got to spend with Kevin in those final weeks, but now she’s in the most difficult position imaginable. She’s grieving the loss of her soulmate while facing the heavy financial strain of his uninsured medical emergency. On top of that, she can’t collect survivor’s benefits until she’s 60, and won’t have an income until she can return to work after surgery.

My siblings and I will make sure she’s taken care of physically and emotionally, but if you’re able, any contribution to help her financially would be deeply appreciated.