On September 20th 2015 we lost a very special person to ovarian cancer, my sister, Christina Vallon Cripps (Thatcher). Christina put up a tough fight from the day we learned she had a 50 pound mass in her abdomen until 10 months later when she took her last breath. She was only 29 years old and was loved and adored by many. Throughout those 10 months, she remained brave. It seemed like every week there was a new painful procedure or treatment that she needed and she never complained. She was strong – for herself and her family. She had the kindest most gentle spirit. She was always lending a helping hand even when she needed help the most.

 

Currently, Christina’s body is at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center waiting for final arrangements to be made. It is her family’s wishes that she be cremated through the Cremation Society of New Hampshire and laid to rest next to her grandparents and great-grandparents in Claremont, NH. This is an extraordinarily tough time for all of those who loved her and are missing her dearly; however, it is even more difficult compounded by the lack of financial resources to be able to do so.

 

When I looked at my sister’s Facebook page, I was amazed and comforted by all of the people reaching out to say how much they loved her and how wonderful of a person she was. It was clear that Christina has touched the lives of so many in just 29 short years. Her final arrangements total $2600.00 for the cremation, burial urn, a keepsake urn for her immediate family, city fees to open the burial plot, and her obituary. Her family is only able to come up with about $1000.00 (leaving a need of about $1,600) which will not even cover the cost of the cremation alone. She will remain at DHMC until these funds can be secured.

 

The last thing I can do for my sister is ensure that she has a proper burial and is laid to rest in peace. Any contribution to this fund would greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Danielle and Family