These were the heartbreaking words that began the text I received yesterday afternoon, February 28, 2020, on the first Friday of Lent, from Veronica’s younger sister Victoria. She went on to tell me that Veronica’s death was beautiful. We were about to start praying the Stations of the Cross and followed it with another rosary for Veronica’s sweet soul and for her suffering family. Veronica was such an incredible inspiration to me and we will all miss her dearly.
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| Visiting Veronica in the hospital to sing carols just before Christmas |
I just got off the phone Dan Cools, Veronica’s father, and he asked me to pass along the news of her death to you all and thank you again for your prayers and support.
Here is the update Dan shared over on their GoFundMe page:
Dear family, friends, benefactors and followers,
Our dear Veronica passed away this Friday in her home with her family around her. When I last updated you we had begun weekly treatments in Bellevue. For two months (according to the lab test) it appeared we were making headway. Then the numbers began to change again. The cancer had begun to grow and paralyzed her from the waist down. After a hospital stay we took her home and did home hospice care. She was charitable as always, caring and sweet to the end. In the 18 months of her illness she never complained. She embraced the Catholic faith. Never doubting the value of suffering when offered to our Lord for the good of others and his church. She prayed for healing but always left it up to God’s will as Christ did on the cross. She received the sacraments regularly. She was given the apostolic blessing last Saturday. She was able to recieve the Eucharist daily for the last couple weeks including her last day. Her faith was tremendous. Her resignation to God’s will completely trusting and complete. Her faithfulness will surely be rewarded with an eternity in our Heavenly Father’s presence. We sincerely want to thank all of you for the gifts and prayers of support. Veronica often said the prayers are what carried her through. She offered her suffering for her benefactors. We ask you for your continued prayers while we go through our grieving at loosing her. She was a treasure God had given to us and has called back home. Yet we also rejoice as her race was run well and she fought the good fight. As our Lord has promised those are faithful to him and follow his way will have eternal life.
They have not asked specifically online for help with the funeral expenses, but they would be very grateful if anyone would like to make a donation this Lent. You can still do so through GoFundMe or I can provide you with a mailing address if you’d like to send a check directly to the Cools. Together we can at least help lighten the financial burden on their family as they grieve this tremendous loss.
Please also continue to pray for Dan and Debra Cools, and their family, that God may pour His grace upon them in this time of sorrow. May God reward you abundantly!
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| Our girls with Victoria and Veronica Cools last summer |
Oh, I'm so sorry. I remember you asking for prayers for her and have wondered how she was doing. Prayers for her soul and for her family and friends.
2020-03-01 04:29:05
Thank you for sharing. Our prayers for all their family.
2020-03-01 05:09:29
What an inspiration. A painful loss for sure, but her life should be remember for more than the loss it left. What an amazing young lady! Just reading this has given me strength. I’m so sorry for her family’s suffering right now. Truly.
2020-03-01 11:54:30
Lord God, you are the glory of believers and the life of the just. Your Son redeemed us by dying and rising to life again. Our sister Veronica was faithful and believed in our own resurrection. Give to her the joy and blessings of the life to come. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever.
2020-03-01 18:23:37
I was thinking of Veronica and wondering how she was . What an amazing young lady .She is an inspiration to all. Veronica was always in my prayers and will pray for strength for her family. Rest In Peace Veronica Marion
2020-03-01 19:16:43
Thank You for the update. Rest In peace Veronica Joan
2020-03-01 19:17:49
God bless Veronica, an inspirational, faith-filled soul! We will pray for the peaceful repose of her beautiful soul and for the consolation of her family.
2020-03-01 19:18:28
So sorry for the loss of this brave young lady. Veronica is an inspiration to all. May she rest in peace. Sympathy and prayers for Veronica's family and friends as they mourn her passing. God Bless. Marilyn
2020-03-01 21:49:42
Ever since you sent out a prayer request for her in September, I have been praying for Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen's intercession on her behalf. I will continue praying for her soul, and for her family. I wish I had known her, from all I have seen about her she must have been a wonderful young lady!
2020-03-01 22:42:52
Veronica was such a sweet girl. She will be greatly missed. She is such an inspiration to us all.
2020-03-02 00:49:33
Eternal rest grant onto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. We have all been praying for her and will continue to pray for the repose of her soul and for all grieving her loss. I was saddened to hear of her death from my son in fifth grade who has been praying for her since he learned of her at his school (IHM) in MA. Friday night he assisted at Stations of the Cross as a candle bearer and said them for the intension of her soul. May you find comfort in the memories of times you shared together.
2020-03-02 03:40:42
I'm so sorry to hear this but I am praying for the repose of Veronica's soul, her family, and your community. She seems like a beautiful soul. Requiescat in pace.
2020-03-02 16:55:22
Thank you letting us know. We have been praying for her ever since your last post. May she rest in peace.
2020-03-02 20:33:52
Thank you for letting us know. The family will be in our prayers!
2020-03-03 21:09:16
My heart goes out to her family.
2020-03-08 00:20:57
J.M.J. Thank you for letting us know Jessica. Ever since you posted about Veronica, we have been praying for her nightly to St. Joseph for healing and if not God's will, a peaceful and holy death surrounded by the Holy Family! We will continue to keep her family and the repose of her soul in our prayers!
2020-03-17 22:13:46