Maria R.
1958–2025
Maria was the one who remembered everyone's birthday and always had a seat at her table for whoever needed one. After her diagnosis, she kept showing up for her grandkids' soccer games as long as she possibly could, wrapped in a blanket on the sideline. She met a hard year with more grace than anyone should have to find, and she taught her family to ask questions instead of just nodding along in appointments.
Shared by daughter, reviewed before publishing.
What the family wishes they’d known
Ask for a palliative-care referral at diagnosis, not at the end — it's about comfort and quality of life at any stage, not giving up.
Read moreBring someone to every appointment to take notes. It is very hard to hear and remember everything alone.
Read moreA home-health aide a few hours a week let us be family again instead of only caregivers.
Read more
Support and options
Grief support
Losing someone to cancer is its own kind of hard. If you need someone to talk to now, that support is available.
Find supportIs something on this page inaccurate, or does a family member want it changed or removed? Contact us and we’ll respond within a few days.