Cuban mother cries for help after the death of her daughter in the U.S. and her father from grief

Moved by the double tragedy that has struck her family, the Cuban Mercedes Almenares has turned to the solidarity of friends, family, and strangers to cover the funeral expenses for her only daughter and her father, who passed away just a few days apart.

Through a campaign on GoFundMe, the woman is seeking financial support and prayers to bid farewell to her loved ones.

Double loss in record time

Sheila Almenares, 24 years old and a resident of Houston, lost her life last Wednesday after remaining in critical condition for several days following a traffic accident that occurred on May 2 in Waco, Texas.

Just two days after Sheila's accident, Mercedes' father, the young woman's grandfather, passed away "because he couldn't bear to see his granddaughter leave," as explained by the organizer of the fundraiser herself.

Campaign to Honor Mother and Daughter

The appeal, which has already received dozens of contributions, aims to finance both Sheila's funeral services and those of her grandfather.

Mercedes Almenares stated in the platform description:

"My beloved daughter Sheila, my only girl, suffered an accident that took her life. There are no words to describe the pain of losing a child. To this sorrow is added another devastating loss: my father, who could not bear to see his granddaughter depart and also left us," he said.

"We are going through a time of immense pain and difficulty. Therefore, with humility and hope, I turn to you - friends, family, and all people of good heart - to ask for assistance with the funeral expenses for my daughter and my father. Any contribution, no matter how small, will be of great help," he added.

The campaign aims to raise $10,000. At the time of writing this note, $3,450 has been collected.

Voices of friendship and pain

Sheila's death left a trail of shock among her closest circles. Condolence messages are multiplying on social media.

"I'm very sad; we had talked about meeting and we couldn't. Sometimes life is very, very unfair," said Jenni Moreno Ramírez.

"There are no words or phrases of comfort," expressed Surmaily Vinent Venero, who also mentioned that he had "many good memories."

"Fly high, my heart, my beautiful cousin. I don’t know if we will ever overcome this pain we feel, but God will place you at the highest point in heaven," wrote Jayla Caridad Torres Montero.

Next steps and call to action

The fundraising on GoFundMe is still active, and the family has reinforced their request for prayer and support.

Sheila's unexpected absence "has been a very hard blow, especially for her mother, who is not only losing her daughter but also her only close family," said Isabel Andrea on Facebook.

"In these difficult times, we want to come together as a community to offer comfort and support," he added.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Tragedy of Mercedes Almenares and Her Family