In Memory

Araceli was our first mom we have ever helped.  She was a wonderful mother of three and reminded us very much of Michelle Singleton.  After we decided to help moms, we went down to Maricopa Oncology Unit where Michelle had received treatment.  We asked around for any single moms who were in need. 

The American Cancer Society Patient Navigator paired us with Araceli.  At the time we had no money in the bank and no 501c3.  Andy would go to appointments with her while Jody worked on getting us established.  We got a bank account in Andy’s name and started asking friends and family for donations.  We helped with some co-pays and bought some groceries for Araceli’s family.  It was just a start to what Singleton Moms has become. 

Araceli was very special in so many ways.  She battled cancer for a long time and lost in August of 2006.  She is missed by all of us at Singleton Moms who knew her and she continues to inspire our mission every day.  We stay in contact with her cousin.  

Bonnie was a mother and grandmother. She took care of her daughter and two grandsons.  She had very little income and was in desperate need while receiving treatment. 

We went outside of our box trying to help Bonnie.  She struggled hard to keep her family together.  She too lost her battle to cancer. 

Unfortunately we never were close to any of her family members and lost contact after she moved to California to be with friends and people that would help take care of her kids.

Carla was on service longer then any other mom we have helped.  She battled with cancer off and on for about 9 years.  She was a strong woman and went through all lengths to stay healthy.  She even traveled every week to Tucson to receive her treatment because the doctor there believed in her, and was very positive. 

Carla was an inspiration to us and to everyone around her. She never gave up.  We will all miss her and we will stay in contact with her children and her parents.  They are planning to get involved with Singleton Moms and pay it forward. 

We are grateful to have had Carla in our lives.

Singleton Moms not only lost a mom but a very dear friend when Rosa passed away. For two years we watched Rosa's ups and downs in her battle with cancer.

Rosa was always so grateful for the support Singleton Moms offered and she always did what she could to support the organization in return. She attended our first annual walk, our wine tasting and holiday trip to Zoo Lights.

We feel so grateful for the precious memories we have shared. She will be deeply missed.

Jamie 33, was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer in February of 2008.  She came on service with us in November of 2009. 

Her care coordinator Michelle Sanders was able to spend some time with her including visiting us at our walk in February.  She leaves behind two small children age 4 & 2. 

Thanks to our "Adopt a Family for Christmas" program,  BizEWorks adopted her  to make what was her last Christmas with her children very special.

We met Suzanne in April of 2008, just a week after she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, Singleton Moms had never met a mom so early in her diagnosis. Suzanne found Singleton Moms through a friend who knew Jody and made the connection. Within a couple of days, Jody met Suzanne and her daughter Dana at her their salon in Scottsdale. Suzanne, like most moms, was a little skeptical and reluctant about the services Singleton Moms was offering; though in time she warmed up to receiving a little help from strangers.

Once Suzanne had experienced our services and the difference we could make to women in her situation, she was kind enough to open her home to the media for television and print stories about her and Singleton Moms. She recognized that very few people knew about Singleton Moms and if her story could lend a hand in creating community awareness, she was all for it.

Suzanne fought hard through very aggressive Chemo for 7 months.  In February of 2009 she went into remission and started down the path of regaining a “normal” life.  It was difficult, but Suzanne was a woman that didn’t let too much get her down.

In July 2010 she was re-diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Even though the surgery was successful, for many other incomprehensible reasons her health declined very quickly and Suzanne lost her battle in October 2010.

Singleton Moms is eternally grateful to have had Suzanne in our lives.  She will be missed terribly and remain in our hearts forever.

We met Michele back in August 2010 and placed her on our waiting list. She was very sick during our initial meeting. After giving her some meals we scheduled a cleaning at her home. It was a volunteer day we will never forget. Twelve wonderful women showed up to clean her home. We all sat around and told stories about how we got involved with Singleton Moms.

She was in the hospital the day we cleaned her home. Michele's good friend got her on the phone and the entire group of volunteers yelled "Hi Michele!!" into to the speaker phone. After the cleaning she made it home for a short time and then moved in with her sister. Her son Ethan has been adopted for Christmas and will stay in touch with her family.

Singleton Moms first met Rossi on September 30, 2010.  Her greatest love was being the mother to two beautiful daughters, Christina (13) and Karina (10).   It was clear to us from the beginning that Rossi was a beacon of light and love.   She was a woman that people naturally gravitated toward, and with whom everyone automatically felt at ease.

To our amazement, Rossi told us that she had picked up a Singleton Moms brochure at her Oncologist's office and held onto it for an entire year before calling.  Like most moms, she was trying to "do it all," but eventually came to realize that she needed more support.  Rossi was paired with Singleton Moms Care Coordinator Laurie.  As fate would have it, Laurie had also been Rossi’s youngest daughter’s preschool teacher six years ago.  Rossi was so grateful for Laurie’s help with laundry, organizing volunteers to clean her house, and for special outings with the girls, to places like the Arizona Science Center.

Singleton Moms was not surprised when other volunteers from "Team Rossi" felt the urge to go above and beyond for this special woman.  Soon Rossi came to have two Care Coordinators, as Tessa began driving Rossi to and from chemotherapy as well as various other appointments.  During these drives Tessa and Rossi would laugh and share stories, building a friendship that was a delight to both of them.   Other volunteers handled Rossi's laundry, organized clothing drives, and enlisted their contacts to provide essential services, such as pest control and dentistry, that were greatly needed.
 
Rossi left a lasting impression on everyone at Singleton Moms and she will be greatly missed. Singleton Moms is proud to have been helpful to Rossi during her many months of treatment, and hopes to stay in touch with her family and children for a long time to come.

Patty was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on her birthday in March 2009. She found out about Singleton Moms a month later through one of Jody's family friends Barb Lockwood. She was on service with us in 2009 and 2010, and leaves behind her 14 year old son Steven.

Patty eagerly attended Singleton Moms inaugural Ball in 2009 and our Mother’s Day Picnic with her son in 2010. She was a very outgoing woman and made many friends through Singleton Moms. She will be deeply missed.

You can read her blog at pateeta-shadesofblue.blogspot.com.

Jaquel was 31 years old and had been fighting for her life for some time now. Singleton Moms met her in October of 2010 and was happy to have been able to adopt her family for the holidays last year. That was a very special time for the entire family.

Jaquel’s Care Coordinator, Youlanda, has been instrumental in providing the one on one care Singleton Moms prides itself on. Jaquel leaves behind 2 year old twins and a 10 year old son.

Single mom, Leona was working for the State of Arizona when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2010.

As an intelligent, strong woman, Leona searched for help on the internet and found Singleton Moms in January 2011. At that time, she was going through Chemotherapy every week and radiation every day. Singleton Moms was able to provide support for her and her daughter over the past nine months. She is survived by her 15 year old daughter, her nieces, sister, family and friends.

A special thank you to our Care Coordinator Jennifer for the love and support you gave to Leona and her family during this difficult time.