![Main fundraiser photo](https://images.gofundme.com/enExiGMkrwCfQbjezxBgfN3QGxY=/720x405/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/73677941_1688939719677396_r.jpg)
Mason Family Funeral & Family Expenses
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Craig and I’m starting this account with a very heavy heart. Anyone who knows me knows I hate to ask for help but this is a time I have to set my pride aside. As many of you know we recently suffered a very tragic and heartbreaking loss in our family. My fiancée and the mother of our two children, Jessica Donahue St. Francis passed away suddenly due to complications from heart surgery on May 31, 2023. As you all can imagine this has been a very difficult time on myself and our children Shyanne who is 13 and a Brady who is 9. Our children are now going to have to endure so many milestones without their mother. Shyanne graduated the 8th grade just weeks after loosing her mom. My heart is broken for myself but especially our children because I cannot imagine the pain that they are going through.
As with most unexpected deaths of such a young person there comes financial hardship because of lack of life insurance because nobody thinks they will die so young. Now all the responsibilities have fallen on me. We’ve had to put off a celebration of life for Jessica for lack of funds. As many of you know funerals are extremely expensive and just the cremation cost alone took everything we had. We are asking for help for the cost of an Urn so that Jessica can be put in something as beautiful as she was. I would like to be able to purchase some form of keepsake urns for both Shyanne and Brady, also myself if funds allow. We haven’t even began to think about a burial plot and headstone because of the huge financial cost those would be. We would also like to hold a proper celebration of life for Jessica so that all who knew and loved her can say a proper goodbye. It’s only fair that her family and friends have a way to say a proper goodbye and a place to go to visit her.
This is all a heavy burden to carry by myself especially when I have suddenly found myself a single father. With all of the expenses for Jessica, plus household expenses, and the cost of raising 2 growing kids who will need stuff for school before I know it; it’s impossible to save any money for anything. These kids did not deserve to have their whole lives thrown into an uproar and lose the mother, caretaker and best friend.
With it being the beginning of summer and money we had set aside for a family vacation has had to go towards other important expenses. It breaks my heart that our kids had to lose their mom and won’t be able to get that summer vacation like all the other kids. So with any extra money raised I would like to surprise the kids with at least a day trip or possibly an overnight trip to Six Flags Great Escape in NY or something similar. While it won’t bring Jessica back or replace her in any way they definitely deserve a tiny bit of fun after the tragic loss they’ve endured.
Funds can be donated here or through my cash app $craig802. Anything you can give no matter the size will be greatly appreciated.
If anyone knows anyone that could make a memory bear and a memory pillow with some of Jessica’s clothing I know both kids would cherish one of each for the rest of their lives.
Shyanne, Brady and myself would like to say thank you so much to each and everyone of you that have donated so far and those who continue to donate. We cannot fully express our gratitude to all during this extremely difficult time in our lives. I know Jessica would be grateful for all the help we have received.
Bless you all,
Craig, Shyanne, and Brady
Organizer
![](https://images.gofundme.com/hOVlpoOJY6uwBKCs5-oPkGPIBmw=/128x128/https://www.gofundme.com/person/profiles/1070c473ca9541eb84809a1fc5b7bccf_edited_photo_1687663258706.jpeg)
Craig Mason
Organizer
Saint Albans, VT