A New England Patriots superfan died weeks after she was gifted tickets by proprietor Robert Kraft to observe her beloved group on this 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl.
Shelly Sepulveda, 42, died Monday following a two-year battle with ovarian most cancers, hours after the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos and clinched a spot in Tremendous Bowl LX, in line with a GoFundMe web page set as much as help her household.
“Shelly was deeply beloved, and her loss has left an unimaginable gap in her household and in everybody who knew her,” the GoFundMe web page mentioned.
“Her passing was surprising, and the monetary burden has added a lot stress to an already devastating loss.”
Sepulveda, a mom of six, was recognized with stage 3 ovarian most cancers in 2024, Boston 25 reported.
On Jan. 11, Kraft gifted the previous NICU nurse — who had undergone chemotherapy the week earlier than — tickets to Tremendous Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California, on the sphere at Gillette Stadium following New England’s Wild Card playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Moments earlier than receiving the tickets, Sepulveda informed Kraft that her love for the group had helped her endure a number of the most troublesome moments of her sickness.
“Once I’m right here I don’t take into consideration most cancers, I watch the Patriots,” she informed Kraft in a video posted on the Patriots X account.
Sepulveda fought again tears of pleasure as Kraft offered the tickets on behalf of himself and his spouse, Dana Kraft.
“Which means a lot to me,” she mentioned as she gently held his hand, including that she has been battling most cancers for the previous two years.
Sepulveda was hospitalized days later, on Jan. 17, with “low blood counts,” her spouse, Tami Sepulveda, shared on Fb.
Tami Sepulveda wrote Monday that Sepulveda “tried as onerous as she might to remain right here, she is a fighter and now our angel watching down on us.”
“I’m simply numb from ache it’s so onerous, however I understand how a lot she was beloved! She was really the perfect spouse and mom and pal we are going to miss her so so very a lot,” Tami Sepulveda wrote. “Relaxation in peace now Shelly, I Love you.”
Throughout their greater than 23 years collectively, the couple fostered greater than 20 kids whose dad and mom have been battling substance abuse. The couple adopted 5 kids and in addition shared a organic son.
Earlier than her demise, Sepulveda described her sickness as a “fixed battle.”
“It’s survivorship and combating for my life,” Sepulveda informed Boston 25 final 12 months. “There’s lots of people going by most cancers that don’t have the help. And I do, and I’m fortunate. I’m fortunate I’ve the family and friends I’ve.”
Sepulveda mentioned her kids have been her motivation to maintain combating.
“I’m not a quitter, and I don’t need my youngsters to suppose I’m a quitter,” she mentioned. “However I need them to comprehend it’s additionally okay for them to ask for assist.”
Since its launch in December 2024, the GoFundMe to help her household has raised greater than $34,000 as of Wednesday morning.
