Help Honor Denise's Memory and Legacy

My heart is broken as I write this. My mother, Denise Elizabeth Dake, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. She was only 56 years old, and I am completely devastated. I am her only child, and even though our relationship was complicated at times, I always knew how fiercely she loved me—and I loved her just as much.

Denise had long struggled with health issues and addiction, which made life challenging for her and for our family. Despite those struggles, she had a big heart. She loved fiercely, especially when it came to her family. If you knew my mom, you know she could be tough but that she cared deeply. It’s hard to imagine life without her voice, her laughter, and her love.

I find comfort knowing that my mom is finally at peace. I like to think she’s reunited with her own parents and with my brother (her son) who passed away before her. That image of her being embraced by family we’ve lost gives me strength. Still, the pain of losing her so suddenly is something I am struggling to bear.

Now I’m faced with the heartbreaking task of planning her funeral and cremation on my own. I dropped everything and traveled from my home in Columbia, SC to Buffalo, NY to arrange her services, and I can only be here for five days to get everything done. We have chosen New Comer Cremations & Funerals in Depew, NY to take care of the cremation and a small memorial service for Mom. The cost for a basic service is about $3,200, which is a lot for me to manage by myself right now.

I’m hoping to raise enough not only to cover the funeral and cremation costs, but also to honor my mom in the way she deserves. If possible, I want to bring my husband and our three children up here to Buffalo to say their goodbyes and be with me for support. Right now, I’m here alone because we couldn’t afford the extra plane tickets on such short notice. It breaks my heart that my kids might not get to attend their grandmother’s funeral. In addition, I’ve had to take an unpaid leave from work (about two weeks off) to handle everything and to grieve.

This is why I’m reaching out for help. I have set a fundraising goal of $7,500. This should cover the $3,200 funeral/cremation expenses, help with travel costs for my husband and three kids to join me here, and offset the lost income from the time I’ve had to take off. I know it’s a lot to ask, and it’s very hard for me to ask for money like this. But any amount you can contribute will truly help and mean more to me than I can express.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for even reading this far. If you can donate, please know that you are helping to give my mom a dignified farewell and bringing our family together to mourn and heal. If you’re not able to contribute financially, simply sharing this campaign or leaving a comment with a memory or kind word about my mom would also mean the world to me. Hearing stories about how Denise touched other people’s lives or knowing that others care helps me feel less alone in this loss.

I am so grateful for any support during this painful time. I’m trying to stay strong and remember that my mom’s love—and the love of those around me—will carry me through. Thank you for helping me honor my mom’s memory and for supporting me as I navigate this heartbreak.