Memorial expenses for classmate's mom, Shari Hoefs

It is with heavy heart that we announce that our classmate, Samantha Hoefs, lost her mother on the early morning of December 13th. Her mother, Shari, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Uveal Melanoma in March of 2021. Shortly after receiving this diagnosis, she had to have her right eye removed, but by the time the cancer was caught in her eye it had spread throughout her body and metastasized to her liver. Samantha remained by her mother’s side throughout this entire experience. They traveled to various facilities across the country, including Mayo Clinic and Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadephia, eventually ending up with a clinical trial program in Nashville at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center this past February.

In January of 2022, Samantha quit her job to support her mother full time. As her mother’s caregiver, Samantha has had to balance being a decision-maker, starting her MBA with us at Owen, and also facing the reality of her beloved mother’s condition. Samantha is grateful to have been able to be by her mother’s side during her final moments, but as you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for her.

Samantha is now spending the holiday season working to balance the various expenses related to her mother’s celebration of life. She has planned as much as possible for this, but there is never enough planning that can prepare anyone for such a time. Samantha’s family is preparing to honor her mother with a homegoing celebration on January 7, 2023, which would have been her 56th birthday. We ask that you consider donating funds to help make this possible and easier for Samantha and her family during this time.

All proceeds will go to her mother's arrangements. Any amount is appreciated and will provide relief for Samantha during this time of grieving.