Help Cheryl take care of her sister one last time…

We aren’t ones to normally ask for help, but as tragedy has struck our family again, we have had many ask how they can help. We have decided to share this story to help my mom (Cheryl Wheeler) take care of her sister one last time.

My Aunt, Traci Apel, unexpectedly passed away Monday, March 17th. Like many others, she wasn’t prepared with life insurance. She had also been off work for a while per doctor’s orders due to her lymphedema.

From childhood, my mom has always taken care of her siblings. She and Traci had a sister bond like no other, from childhood trauma to the recent passing away of my dad and Traci’s son, Jeffrey. They always had each other. Traci lived with my parents off and on many times growing up. She and her babies (Jeffery, Mykal, and Bea) were always a priority to my mom right along with us. She made sure we all had the best childhoods and showered us with love and support in everything we all did.

Despite her own health battle, mom was still taking care of Traci—drove her to medical appointments so she didn’t have to walk far to the door or be alone and would always help with bills, all while reassuring her she was never a burden. My mom’s home was her home too. Traci may have felt like she owed my mom, but what she never got to realize is she had already paid her back in ways worth more than money could buy. She helped mom emotionally and physically around the house since dad died. Traci was her “person,” they always had each other and mom is again lost without her.

We have suffered so much loss in the last couple of years, we don’t have time to grieve one before the next happens. In less than 3 years, my mom lost her husband, both of her parents, a nephew who was like a son, father-in-law, and now her only sister. As many of you also know, she has been unable to work and is facing her own terminal illness. With limited income, the help from you all would help take the financial burden off her. She would be able to help her sister one last time.

Thank you from our entire family. Your love and support mean the world to us. As our family keeps getting smaller and smaller, the love we feel from you all truly does help and please continue to keep us (especially my mom) in your prayers.