Mindy's kids and mother Ellen

They say that It takes a village to raise a child... My best friend Mindy has 4 and has done it all alone as a single mama their entire lives! Now those 4 amazing kids have lost their mother suddenly and unexpectedly. Tragedy struck this family a few days ago while Mindy was in the Virgin Islands on a get away with friends.  Mindy became suddenly and inexplicably ill in the water just a few feet from shore...by the time our friends helped her onto the beach she wasn't breathing. CPR was unsuccessful and Mindy passed away. Her 4 children and elderly mother Ellen Keele had to be told that Mindy wasn't coming home from her trip...ever. Needless to say they are completely shocked and devastated. Mindy has always been the sole provider and supporter of her children and mother.  As we all know there isn't much left at the end of each month to be saved as a single mom. The expenses just in the islands for the autopsy, hospital, coroner, embalming services and the flight to bring Mindy home for a funeral have already exceeded 6000.00 and are not yet even totalled. We are praying they release her body to be flown home by next week but this is still an unknown due to the tragedy happening in an already devastated island, we still have no idea when we may even be able to get her back to the US - at which point the family will have the expense of her funeral service here which will on the low end cost an additional 4000.00 so that the kids can say a proper goodbye to their mom. Many of the expenses related to this tragedy remain unknown but are sure to be more than can be afforded. Once the kids have buried their mom it will be time to figure out how to move forward as a family continuing to care for their elderly grandmother and themselves without the main source of income any longer including being forced to relocate into a more affordabe housing situation. They are terrified and devastated and I cannot put into words how badly this family needs help right now. Your prayers and/or donations are greatly appreciated by this family. Mindy's mother Ellen Keele has been named "beneficiary" of this fund.