All Andea Paget wanted was to take her family on a vacation cruise this year.
In fact, even as the , she imagined going with her husband Chad and their boys, 11-year-old Gunner and eight-year-old Stirling on a Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise in the summer.
She fought a good fight but finally succumbed to cancer on Feb. 22.
Paget was first diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in October 2021, but was declared cancer-free after undergoing all the necessary treatments. However, her cancer returned in September 2024, attacking her bones and leaving her wheelchair-bound.
"She didn't stop fighting right until the last moment, but she was comfortable at home with us where she passed away peacefully," said Chad.
Earlier this year, she made the news with a simple Facebook post requesting soup recipes. Soup was one thing she could tolerate because her cancer affected her taste buds. The community responded by dropping off containers of various soups for the Pagets.
Andrea was always hopeful that she would beat the cancer and continued to plan her recovery and trips with her boys. She even discussed cruise options with her closest friends from her hospital bed and had already booked an Airbnb for an "optimistic" summer vacation.
"It wasn't her dying wish to take our boys on a cruise because she believed she'd be with them on that trip," Chad shared. "She was just very optimistic and powerful to the end."
Chad recalls how despite being sick, Andrea ran a very tight ship, making sure the boys maintained a strict schedule, including school and nighttime routines.
Within a week of her death, Chad created a as a tribute to his wife.
"I would greatly appreciate it if you could fill out the guest book with kind words or stories that our two sons, Gunner and Stirling, can cherish as we navigate this difficult time," he wrote. "I鈥檓 not good at asking for help, but I am getting better at taking it, so any food or entertainment for the kids would be greatly appreciated."
Chad's sister Cinammon, created a page to support Andrea's wish for her boys to go on a summer cruise, among other trips.
"Our goal is to help Chad to carry on this legacy for Andrea 鈥� making these trips possible for the boys now that she is no longer here to spearhead them," she said. "She planned a variety of activities, including ocean cruises, annual camping trips, and a visit to Gunnerside and Stirling Castle in the UK."
The page has raised more than $6,000 so far.
Asked what he'll miss most about his mom, Gunner said: "Just spending time with her 鈥� she used to take us to everything...swimming, dog walks and organizing all the camping trips."
Stirling says he'll miss how he and his mother would touch fingers when he woke up in the middle of the night. He has spent the last few months sleeping beside Andrea's bed and when he wakes up, he raises his hand and places his pointing finger on the bedside table where his mom's finger would be to comfort her son.
