On June 5th, my Uncle Tom was discharged from the hospital.

I had received a call that my Uncle Tom was ready to be discharged. Confused, and later that day, my family learned that his wife Eliza was also admitted and would be discharged in tandem. This day would mark the beginning of a series of unfortunate circumstances that ultimately led us here. Since then, I’ve taken on the responsibility of handling their affairs.

After Thomas and Eliza were both discharged, less than a few weeks later, They would both separately be admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, this would be his final admission.

On July 3rd, minutes before visitation would end, my uncle took his last breath. I was by his side, holding his hand to the very last minute. He didn’t need his last IV of morphine, and was not in any pain. He passed away peacefully, shortly after his 75th birthday, after fighting a losing battle with congestive heart failure.

Eliza’s health would soon decline, and at one point, would require a transfer to a hospital with a neurosurgery specialty with a twenty-four hour watch for an intracranial hemorrhage. She would later be diagnosed with a brain tumor, secondary to her admission, in lieu of other extenuating health afflictions that had led to her primary hospitalization.




Although she was discharged, her health did not return to her previous baseline.

On July 16th, my aunt took her last breath. She passed exactly 13 days after her husband, exactly 11:59 (hours:minutes) apart. She was 73. Given how quickly they both declined, we strongly believe they held on solely for each other.




Only a few months ago, my aunt and uncle were in my driveway. We had planned for a June BBQ birthday celebration. It was all a shock to us. We still can’t believe how quickly everything progressed.


My Uncle Tom was nothing less than a kind man, and a friend to everyone’s uncle. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him for no less than 17 years. At one point, my aunt and uncle even shared a home with us. He taught me how to fish. My aunt always treated me out, and made sure I had money for when I’d fish with my uncle under the bridge. She always treated me as her son and made sure I’d be well-fed. My uncle gave me a bike I used through high school. The same grill that was in his home, before he joined my own, remains the grill used today.

In a span 17 years, nothing can quite summarize the amount they are already missed. It has been utterly heartbreaking. At this time I’m in the process of executing both Thomas and Eliza’s last wishes.


Due to the nature and haste of the circumstances involved, I’ve taken on some of the legal fees and associated costs of my uncle’s services. Because his wife passed so closely thereafter, I’m reaching out to the community to gather any sort of assistance with their funeral and arrangements. They were active community members, constantly engaged until the end.

Originally, this fundraiser was intended for my uncle’s memorial and my aunt’s healthcare expenses. Unfortunately, the circumstances changed as her health declined. At the current moment, the estimate for both their consequent arrangements and services are above 5500 and will likely increase due to the complexity involved.


Any outside contribution would be helpful due to the unique set of circumstances involved. My Uncle Tom and Aunt Eliza did not have very much set aside, let alone savings for medical debt or funeral expenses. They were not prepared for consequent life-changing events, back to back. I’m not quite sure anyone would be.

At this time, my family and I are asking for donations towards Thomas and Eliza’s memorial services. Any additional funds will be used for consequent medical bills and other after-life fees and services.

It was my Uncle’s explicit wish to be cremated and have a memorial service for friends and families of the community. At the current time, he is awaiting his final arrangements.


It was my Aunt’s explicit wish to be returned (if possible) to the Philippines. At the current time, she is awaiting her final arrangements at the same funeral home.

They were always together, and it was only fitting that they will now remain that way.

Memorial services (including joint) will be held with the funds collected and will be updated here when further details become available.

Any contribution is helpful. Please share and amplify this story if possible. Thank you.