I am absolutely devastated to tell you all that my mom passed away yesterday morning. After 4 long years of battling cancer, she is no longer suffering in the body God gave her. In the past year, she received both immunotherapy and chemo. This summer, the effects of the chemotherapy were too much for Carmen's body, and we decided to only continue with immunotherapy. We knew that she had spots on her liver; however, in the past month, she had severe stomach pain. In the end, her liver failed and caused her body to shut down. On the morning she died, we all held her in our arms while she slipped away painlessly and peacefully. 

This past week before she passed, she was able to have her last confession and spent her time sleeping in her chair surrounded by me, my dad, my brother, and her sister. On her last day, the priest came to our home, and she was able to have a small piece of the Eucharist. 

Although all of us are overwhelmed by her passing, it is important to be grateful for the extra time we were able to have with her. She suffered greatly in order to continue her life with us. I can only imagine how happy and at peace she is now, to finally be with her sister Cathy, brother Pat, and mom and dad in heaven. 

For those of you that knew her well, you know that family meant everything. Because of that, she planned her entire funeral for us, from start to finish, and left us with the most precious notes and sentiments. She had the kindest, most loving heart and I promised her that will live on within Eric and I, until we too, can join her in heaven. 

The funeral will be held at Buresh funeral homes and St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Au Gres, MI. Tuesday night will be her viewing from 4-8 pm at Buresh Funeral homes and Wednesday morning from 10-11am with a full Catholic Funeral mass to follow. 

Thank you for all the prayers over the years, she definitely heard and felt all of them. Finally, I ask for one more: please pray for my family during the worst time of our lives. Our mom meant the world to me and Eric. She was the best mom, wife, and sister and we will hold her in our hearts forever. 

Love, Cristen