In Loving Memory — Our Inspiration, Our Strength
Cancer Awareness
Our mother was diagnosed with Leukemia 25 years ago. She was the inspiration for TEAM SURVIVOR. My sisters and brother watched and admired our mothers invincibility and stoic strength from afar but she was silently fighting a devastating illness.
She eventually sat us all down as teens and young adults to break the news of her condition. This kind of news is unimaginable and for years she hardly complained and rarely asked for help. As we all aged, married, had children and started our own families. She continued her struggle to survive.
I have never known a stronger and more loving person than my mother. Sadly, even with her strength and impenetrable faith in GOD, she could not defeat the evil of cancer. She lost her battle with Leukemia and Colon Cancer on the 4th of July 2018 at the age of 59.
The final months of her struggle were devastating for our family. It’s indescribable to witness someone you love whether away before your eyes. But even in those moments she showed her amazing strength and gave us all the tools we needed to keep our family together and her memory alive.
She is our living Cardinal and watches over us. We have become her surviving memory. Her lasting hope to bear witness when we discover a cure for cancer that affects so many people. So as long as we live she will be survived by her children, then her grandkids and great grandkids.
We understand first hand the disastrous effects of Leukemia. The extreme emotional, physical and financial burden it can place on a family. That’s why it is important to find a way to support and give back to individuals and/or organizations.
If you are in need of inspiration and motivation. Listen to my mothers voice as she sternly but in a loving and compassionate Godly voice say:
“God will make a way out of not way”
“If they tell you no, don’t give up. Other doors will open”
“Get up off your butt and do something about it, if you want to make a difference. You can be the difference”
“Don’t wait on someone else, if you want something done. You have to do it yourself”
We all have an opportunity to give back. Some people have money, some have time, some have knowledge and wisdom. Just remember we will all need a helping hand one day.
In Loving Memory — Our Inspiration, Our Strength
Twenty-five years ago, our mother was diagnosed with leukemia. From that moment forward, she became the heart and inspiration behind OneHeartOneFam. Though she carried the weight of a devastating illness, she faced it with quiet courage, unwavering faith, and a strength that inspired everyone around her.
As children, we admired her resilience without fully understanding the battle she was fighting. When she shared her diagnosis with us as teens and young adults, our world changed—but she never allowed her illness to define her. She rarely complained, seldom asked for help, and continued loving, supporting, and uplifting our family as we grew, married, and started families of our own.
On July 4, 2018, at the age of 59, she peacefully ended her earthly fight after battling leukemia and colon cancer. Losing her was heartbreaking, but even in her final months she showed remarkable grace and strength, leaving us with the tools to stay united, strong, and faithful.
We believe she watches over us still—our guiding light, our living cardinal, and our eternal reminder that love never fades. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and generations to come.
Because of her journey, we understand firsthand the emotional, physical, and financial toll cancer places on families. Her story fuels our commitment to give back, to support others, and to be a source of hope for those facing similar battles.
She often reminded us:
“God will make a way out of no way.”
“If they tell you no, don’t give up. Other doors will open.”
“If you want to make a difference, you can be the difference.”
Her words still guide us. Her love still surrounds us. Her legacy still moves us forward.
Forever loved. Forever remembered. Forever our hero.