Twin Cities Mom Dies From Cancer 2 Years After Husband's Death

TWIN CITEIS, MN — For six years, Twin Cities resident Tessie Sylvester cared for her husband, John, as he battled ALS. The father of two died on June 16, 2017.

Just days before John passed away, Tessie, then 36, was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma, a cancer affecting her glands. The cancer spread to her liver and lymph nodes, which meant surgery was not an option.

After a two-year battle, Tessie died Thursday. "Tessie’s courage, strength, and grace were unmatched on this Earth," an update on a GoFundMe page established for her reads.

"Today, her body was freed from this place and now lives on in the hearts of her beloved boys, her brothers & sisters, her Mom & Dad, and her nieces and nephews. She is always with us."

Tessie and John's two children will be taken care of by family:

"Tessie & John and Tessie’s sister Jenny & her husband Chris recently adopted one another’s children as each other’s own. Gus, Freddy, Oscar, Edith, & Hazel are finding comfort and love in one another as brothers & sisters, as well as in the love of their Moms & Dads here in both body and in spirit. They are also surrounded by the unyielding love of their grandmas & grandpas, aunts & uncles, and their beautiful bond with their cousins."

Plans for a celebration of Tessie’s life and a Mass will be announced at a later date.

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