Help for Their Surviving Son
Donation protected
The Heath family has suffered an incredible loss. Two of the strongest family members were lost within 101 days of each other. They fought so hard for many years while trying to make the most of life for their only son. Michele, who had been on the kidney transplant list since 2013 was told she had inoperable cancer on Sept. 2nd of 2018 and all treatment would be stopped. The following day, surrounded by her entire family, she passed away. A horrible blow to all of them but especially her 17-year-old son and her loving partner, Jamie, who was working to get on the heart transplant list.
From that point, Jamie was only interested in the well-being of his son who would inherit their home and be responsible for much of its financial needs. Michele left enough in life insurance to pay for the house but once he received payment, he was obligated to repay his grandparents for Michele's funeral costs. No one was prepared for Jamie to fall ill, catching a simple cold for most but it threatened pneumonia for him--an extremely dangerous event. He was put on a steroid that his weak heart could not process which led to massive organ failure. He fought to live, surprising his medical team, but he lost that battle. He died on December 14th, 2018. His much-needed $800/month benefit lost with him.
Jamie had not worked for at least 2 years (since he was told he needed a transplant) and had nothing of value when he passed. His son was unable to fund the funeral expenses having already paid for Michele's. Jamie's mother, Roberta is a semi-retired woman of 78 (she teaches Clinical OR Nursing about 40 days a year)had to nearly empty 2 savings accounts to pay what she could. She must be reimbursed! This campaign is first intended to cover that reimbursement. Any contributions beyond that will be used to stabilize the household so that the family can continue to support young James.
At this time and in spite of many contributions by close friends and family, costs have not been covered. In addition to the funeral expenses, there are household issues (the stove recently broke). This is an eighteen-year-old whose parents were loved by many. He is suffering such a tremendous and for many, unimaginable loss. So many people called Jamie Sr. their brother and friend. Everything this kid knew has crumbled around him. Eighteen is not quite an age at which kids set off on their own--especially this kid. He tried to maintain his college enrollment when his mother passed, attending his first class less than 24 hours after her passing. He wanted to do what she would have wanted but couldn't keep the stamina. That doesn't demonstrate weakness but incredible strength in his trying. Michele and Jamie's family and friends are absolutely shattered by their deaths. Jamie Jr. is doing his best and is surrounded by his family--his grandmother Roberta, Aunt Kelly and his cousin, Marc--who loves him and will do their best to keep him as strong as possible as they heal together but the sudden financial issues are weighing on all of them. Jamie Sr. often performed at benefits and parties alone or with his band. What he did not have in money, he multiplied exponentially in his willingness to give what he could of himself. He and Michele would be devastated by the state of things as they are now. Their bodies were already stressed, the anxiety of their financial state when they were living undoubtedly contributed to their physical decline. Please help Young Jamie and his family to gain the financial ground they need to move forward and heal. Thank you all.
Michele and Jamie's Story
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mycentraljersey/obituary.aspx?n=michele-montani&pid=190131524&fhid=17775
http://www.lehrergibilisco.com/obituary/james-m-heath-jr?fbclid=IwAR1u3m2cgahxK8r4Y5XlVsQLUOcRiIsRFmguJdjIDikJcw6kcjKImC-4Mh0
From that point, Jamie was only interested in the well-being of his son who would inherit their home and be responsible for much of its financial needs. Michele left enough in life insurance to pay for the house but once he received payment, he was obligated to repay his grandparents for Michele's funeral costs. No one was prepared for Jamie to fall ill, catching a simple cold for most but it threatened pneumonia for him--an extremely dangerous event. He was put on a steroid that his weak heart could not process which led to massive organ failure. He fought to live, surprising his medical team, but he lost that battle. He died on December 14th, 2018. His much-needed $800/month benefit lost with him.
Jamie had not worked for at least 2 years (since he was told he needed a transplant) and had nothing of value when he passed. His son was unable to fund the funeral expenses having already paid for Michele's. Jamie's mother, Roberta is a semi-retired woman of 78 (she teaches Clinical OR Nursing about 40 days a year)had to nearly empty 2 savings accounts to pay what she could. She must be reimbursed! This campaign is first intended to cover that reimbursement. Any contributions beyond that will be used to stabilize the household so that the family can continue to support young James.
At this time and in spite of many contributions by close friends and family, costs have not been covered. In addition to the funeral expenses, there are household issues (the stove recently broke). This is an eighteen-year-old whose parents were loved by many. He is suffering such a tremendous and for many, unimaginable loss. So many people called Jamie Sr. their brother and friend. Everything this kid knew has crumbled around him. Eighteen is not quite an age at which kids set off on their own--especially this kid. He tried to maintain his college enrollment when his mother passed, attending his first class less than 24 hours after her passing. He wanted to do what she would have wanted but couldn't keep the stamina. That doesn't demonstrate weakness but incredible strength in his trying. Michele and Jamie's family and friends are absolutely shattered by their deaths. Jamie Jr. is doing his best and is surrounded by his family--his grandmother Roberta, Aunt Kelly and his cousin, Marc--who loves him and will do their best to keep him as strong as possible as they heal together but the sudden financial issues are weighing on all of them. Jamie Sr. often performed at benefits and parties alone or with his band. What he did not have in money, he multiplied exponentially in his willingness to give what he could of himself. He and Michele would be devastated by the state of things as they are now. Their bodies were already stressed, the anxiety of their financial state when they were living undoubtedly contributed to their physical decline. Please help Young Jamie and his family to gain the financial ground they need to move forward and heal. Thank you all.
Michele and Jamie's Story
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mycentraljersey/obituary.aspx?n=michele-montani&pid=190131524&fhid=17775
http://www.lehrergibilisco.com/obituary/james-m-heath-jr?fbclid=IwAR1u3m2cgahxK8r4Y5XlVsQLUOcRiIsRFmguJdjIDikJcw6kcjKImC-4Mh0
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Irrizarry Leonard
Organizer
Avenel, NJ
Roberta Heath
Beneficiary
