Help Denise with Brian's Funeral Costs
Donation protected
My brother, Brian Francis James, passed away on the operating room table at Beth Israel Lahey in Burlington, Mass. on October 2, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Denise, who is battling metastatic cancer diagnosed this July 2024. Brian was the sole caretaker for his wife for over ten years as she was bed-bound with rheumatoid arthritis and obesity. He never complained or took time for himself.
Brian and Denise came to live with my husband and me over 10 years ago as they were homeless. In April, Brian started to feel ill but did not complain or share his symptoms. He developed endocarditis, which damaged his aortic valve. He had this repaired in late July and was sent to rehab. During this time, Denise was also in the hospital and rehab for complications of her cancer. In rehab, Brian's valve failed, and he called 911 from rehab a week ago. Upon arrival at the emergency room, he was told he was in congestive heart failure due to his heart valve failure. During the repair, his heart suffered greatly, and I was called to perform my health care proxy responsibilities as he did not survive this surgery.
Brian was a people person and loved life. He and his wife lived on a fixed income and have no savings for a funeral. His wife would consider a simple cremation, and in this economy, cannot afford even that. Can you find it in your heart to donate even a small amount to help pay for
a decent burial?
Organizer
Pamela Rose
Organizer
Wilmington, MA