I am starting this fundraiser to help with the sudden and unexpected passing of my Aunt Renee. Renee is my dad's youngest sister. She just turned 61 years old. She has a life of so many hardships. She has battled addiction, abuse and autoimmune disease. She has also raised 4 kids and

Last year Renee found out she had a heart condition and made some amazing and positive changes to her health. A few months ago my dad and his siblings had their "sibling reunion" and she looked and was feeling better than she had in years.

Last week, after unanswered phone calls, a well check was sent to her home where she was found unresponsive, Renee had passed some time within those days of not being seen or heard from.

Renee is single and lives on medicaid and social security. The most either of these entities will help with funeral costs is $1,225. My cousin Rachel, (Renee's oldest daughter ) had to be in charge solo of her dad's funeral a few years ago and she said the cheapest, bare bones, cremation funeral services cost $5,000. Currently Renee's son Aaron is in Ohio state prison. Rachel is a single mom. Dana, (Renee's second daughter) is a single mom of 6, and Tyler (her youngest son) is also a single father and recovering as well.

The sole financial responsibility will land on Rachel and Dana. Rachel is a mother of 2, one having the special needs of autism. She is also planning a wedding very soon with her fiance. Dana is also a single mom of 6 and works her tail off at Kohler to provide for her babies all while staying healthy and available emotionally and physically for her kids. Dana also battles autoimmune issues.

None of my cousins have asked for a thing. My heart hurts for them and I don't want this financial surprise to being weighing on them as they already have so much on their plate. Renee is single and so there is no spousa financial support. Also, the $1.225 would be the absolute MOST that could possibly be covered in this entire loss.

For those who have never met Renee or my family, although she battled her own demons ( as so many of us do) she was always the most loving, kind aunt to me. She always made me feel welcomed and loved. She was my grandma's baby, my dad's baby sister. She started adulthood early becoming a mama at 15, and she fought every day of her life to make it through another day. For my grandma and grandpa, for my cousins , and for my entire family, any help at all you could give to help defray the insane costs of funeral expenses, we would be ever so grateful.

You may never been in this situation, but you may someday. If so, you will understand the stress and burden this would put on siblings who are already struggling and grieving the early loss of their mother.

Thank you and God bless you all! If you cannot help financially, sharing would be so appreciated!!