Stevens Garnett & family, Celebration of Life

Hello world, my name is Monique Garnett and I am in need of some assistance. My existence has recently come unglued with the passing of my beloved father Steve Garnett at 82 years of age. My rock, my anchor, and my first friend...

My dad took care of everything, including my mother, who now I am suddenly faced with having to take care of remotely, and her dementia has suddenly been made more prominent to me in the absence of my father. I need assistance providing for her, as I am unemployed, and awaiting approval for benefits I have applied for, an injury settlement, and appeals that are in the works for a claim that was denied.

My dad's passing comes on the heels of recovering from major cancer treatment post an intense 10 hour surgery & recovery, during Covid isolation. And the cherry on top? A dual diagnosis of a degenerative neurological disease in addition. The past 2.5 years have been a whirlwind..

-Now was the time I was supposed to focus on myself, and change careers COMPLETELY once my body & mind were completely healed. I talked about this with a lot my dad, he agreed and he was excited about that prospect. I was feeling much more like myself recently in the fall/winter after an extended cancer treatment for advanced adenocarcinoma of the small bowel, and suddenly I have lost my father at a time where i can utterly NOT provide anything financially to assist my mom, or sister who is profoundly & chronically ill with mental illness. This is HARD.

I have to find long term care for both of them, as I currently am unable to move to Florida without losing my health insurance and the team of doctors who saved my life. Moreover, my father did NOT want me to leave NYC. This was made abundantly clear to me from 2 of his best and lifelong friends, just recently.

Sooo, for the time being, I will attempt to go back and forth from Brooklyn to Florida, and continue to monitor my health situation, and figure out the next steps for care & guardianship over my mother and sister, all while grieving the loss and planning a little Celebration of Life for my dad. He deserves it.

Whew!

**Also, There is one 20 year old vehicle, that my parents have that NEEDS maintenance, as I am unable to buy my mom a newer one. The car has me on eggshells, and i know it needs about $5000 of work to have it good condition to drive while I am there. A breakdown now would spell more disaster...

**I would also like to have my mom's apartment professionally cleaned, as things deteriorated over the last year with all the illnesses and 2 elders unable to keep up + indoor smoking of my sister, which my parents were unable to control anymore. This will make the landlord happy, and feel more secure having my mom stay in place for the time being.

I have my work cut out for me at a precarious & delicate time health wise. HOWEVER, I currently am doing very well, somehow... and I now truly believe in the power of prayer, there is no other explanation as to why I have been so lucky as to still be here! I have a team of prayer warriors, and I love every one of them!

In hindsight, I suppose that my dad just let go? -once he felt better about me being "out of the woods" healthwise, so to speak? I know that he was tired, a little depressed, and growing weaker by the year with all his conditions + Covid isolation since lockdown. My health was of major concern & worry for so long right in the middle of that Covid craziness, and there is a lot that fell behind financially in both camps. My Brooklyn camp being the most delinquent quite honestly.

I personally owe all over the place since my diagnosis in December 2020, and my health care bills (amongst others) are also behind and immediately pending. (My NYS insurance covered most, but not all) My head was also in a bad place for a long time not knowing what would happen.to me..

It would've been difficult enough to lose my dad at any time, but his passing now is coming at a HORRIBLE time for me, where I literally am already running on fumes. I definitely thought I'd have him around for a few more years, his mind was sharp, but his body not as much... My folks having each other was my saving grace for so long, and we depended on him so much. I STILL need him. I feel him guiding me now, as I write this... Just say what's on your mind moe, and get it done once and for all!

He was a dependable guy, he forever did what he could for his family. I have never known the feeling of being insecure about my family, until now. My mother is alone for the first time in her life. I have to fix that. She also can no longer manage my sister needs, I have to fix that as well. AND I also, have to do a better job of looking after myself, this is also a WIP.

SO I humbly come out to my public at this time, and ask for much needed help. There is a little bit of controversy amongst family & friends, as to whether or not my dad would agree with me doing this fundraiser, BUT I KNOW he would want me to do any and everything possible to help myself, and help my (his) family at this time.

Maybe there is a generational difference of opinion on crowd funding? (I don't find it distasteful in the least.) BUT I also know for certain that my friends want to help me in this way, so here I am (resisting my introvert/hiding when stressed out tendencies) with much love, humility, gratitide, and respect.

Thank you so much, for reading my story, for donating if you can, and for all of the support.

My goal from here on out is to live a life my dad would be proud of, and get my family members placed somewhere decent so I can continue down my road of recovery with less worry.

I have to do something with this second chance at life that I have been given. Maybe humility, challenge, and asking for help is part of that process??

THANK YOU SO MUCH ALREADY,

Moe.

NOTE: There will be a funeral service for my father, Mr. Steven's Garnett at

Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church

Saturday January 21 @10:30am

Eulogy at 11:30 by Pastor Marsha Bean

404 SW 3rd St, Delray Beach, FL 33444

Immediately followed by a little Celebration of Life at St Matthew's Episcopal Church Hall (across the street from church) at 12:30 pm

404 SW 3rd St, Delray Beach, FL 33444