A Farmington-area family dealing with a string of tragedies, including the death of the family patriarch shortly before his sister lost her home "in a horrible house fire," has raised only a portion of its GoFundMe goal.
In about ten days, the family has raised $3,720 of their $20,000 goal listed on its GoFundMe page.
"Hi, my name is Heather Sullivan and on January 18th, 2022 my aunt Cathy Cupps lost everything in a horrible house fire," the GoFundMe appeal created Jan. 18 begins.
Sullivan's grandmother died about a year and a half ago and Sullivan's father, Cupps' brother David Michael Cupps, died four days prior, according to the GoFundMe and his obituary.
In addition to all the natural grief, losing David Cupps was a financial blow to 67-year-old Cathy Cupps, who also takes care of a 16-year-old grandson.
"She's on just social security so it's hard to make ends meet," Sullivan told KRQE. "It's kind of where my dad has been stepping in and pretty much financially supporting her where she needs it."
Cathy Cupps' financial struggles had been so severe that she allowed her homeowner's insurance to lapse. When her home burned down, it left her and her grandson homeless.
"My Aunt Cathy is really close with her family," Sullivan said in the GoFundMe. "The recent loss of her mother and brother has devastated her, and now to lose her home (which was my grandmother's home) has brought her to her knees. I am trying to do the only thing I can right now by asking friends, relatives, and the community to please share, donate and keep us all in your prayers as this is a terrible situation and she needs all the help she can get."
Losing family and a physical home, along with all the huge financial worries, isn't the worst of it, Sullivan told KRQE. She and her family have lost the memories that were made in her grandmother’s home.
"That's the biggest loss I think is just the memories," she said.
Sullivan is also asking for clothing donations for her aunt and cousin. Their sizes are included in the GoFundMe appeal.