LETTER: Houlihan Family Thanks Braintree for its Support

To the Community of Braintree:

I have so much to say and so many to thank that I don’t know where to begin.

My husband John Houlihan passed away on February 23rd after a two and a half year battle against Bile Duct Cancer. Prior to his cancer diagnosis, John underwent a live liver transplant and Whipple procedure as a result of years of damage due to an auto-immune illness called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

When asked how we were able to stay strong in the face of illness or know more joy than pain along the way, my answer is always the same…it was and continues to be because of our friends and neighbors and the community in which we are so fortunate to live.

How do you survive the news that your spouse will die, that they have run out of options and that there is no hope? How do you survive having to destroy your children by telling them that their parent isn’t going to live, that all of the hopes and promises and prayers for miracles didn’t work out as we had wished? I survived because of you. John was comforted because of you. My children thrive because of you.

How do I put into words a thank you for all of that? It is a question I continue to struggle to answer. You have showed us true love, supported us with your generosity, healed our soul with your prayers and eased our pain with your kind words. You have taught us to be better people. It would be impossible to pay everyone back for all that has been done for us but I promise you that we will do our best to pay it forward.

On behalf of my children, Casie, Ryan and Patrick, I sincerely thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have given to us.

With much love and gratitude,
Kristin Houlihan