It is hard to put into words the loss our family is feeling right now. After more than 50 years of marriage, our dad, Pete, passed away surrounded by his family. Watching our mom say goodbye to the man she built her entire life with has been heartbreaking. Over these past months, our family has walked a painful medical journey filled with hospital stays, surgeries, complications, rehabilitation, and ultimately hospice care. Through every setback and every difficult day, our mom never left his side. She cared for him, comforted him, and loved him with the same devotion she had shown throughout their entire marriage.

Now our mom is facing the overwhelming reality that comes after loss — emotionally, physically, and financially. Along with unimaginable grief, she is now carrying substantial medical bills and financial obligations left behind from the long fight to keep our dad alive and comfortable. The financial piece is especially stressful for her, and we worry about the toll it could take on her health as she tries to move forward. My brother and I are covering the costs of cremation and other arrangements ourselves, as we want to take care of as much as we can for our mom. We are only reaching out for help with the medical bills and ongoing expenses that are simply beyond what we can manage on our own.

Anyone who knew our dad knew how deeply he loved his family. He was hardworking, strong, and stubborn in the best ways. But like many, he wasn’t one that planned well for the future. Our parents built a beautiful life together over five decades, never expecting to face this level of medical hardship.

We are creating this fundraiser with humility and gratitude, hoping to give our mom some relief as she begins navigating life after such a profound loss. Our greatest wish is to help ease her stress so she can focus on healing and staying healthy. If you are able to contribute in any way, our family will be forever grateful. And if you are unable to give, we completely understand — your prayers, messages, memories, and sharing this page mean just as much to us. Thank you for honoring his memory and helping us surround our mom with support during the hardest chapter of her life.

With love and gratitude,

Heather & Family