Bridget Cranford

My Aunt Bridget was a person like no other. My entire memory of her is her helping someone else. I remember visiting Denver when I was the age of my daughter. I was younger than Ryan, but I was never made to feel that way. Ryan's teacher invited me to come into her kindergarten class, and Aunt Bridget made me feel so brave and that I belonged there. I remember her hugging me and telling me to just call her. She saw me; she felt all of my feels. I had to call her. I needed her to get me. She did.

She would always come for everyone. She devoted her entire life to giving life to others. She was an incredible advocate, friend, cousin, aunt, partner-- and most importantly, mother.

Sometimes life has other plans, and we have to put all of ourselves up to fight. Everyone who loves Bridget knows how to fight. Bridget loved so fiercely, and that love is unlike anything. If you have been lucky enough for that love to be spread to you--you will feel it forever.

This seemed so sudden. This heartache is like nothing we've felt before. We can all know Bridget loved us so deeply.

The suddenness of this also brings the burden of cost to the people who loved her most. Bridget wished to be buried and reunite with her family in Ogdensburg, New York, which is very far from Denver, Colorado. We are asking for anyone who would wish to send love and good vibes to the family would donate to a travel fund in lieu of sending food or flowers.

This fund will help family members make the travels to celebrate her life in her forever home in Upstate New York-- family by blood and choice-- just like Bridge would have wanted.

Aunt Bridget, there are no words that could be said to share what you have meant to this world. You have touched more families than you could ever know, and to the ones who did feel your love-- it was unreal. Your love will live with us forever.

Thank you to everyone for giving to this travel fund. This ensures we will all celebrate Bridget the way she would have loved most. In her place, with all of her people, with all of the love and joy she deserves to be surrounded by.

We will be forever grateful to celebrate B together in beautiful upstate NY, and your donation will help us reach that goal.