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Contact:
Thomas Benes

Family Launches GoFundMe to Support Funeral and Estate Costs Following Sudden Passing of Heather Benes
PITTSBURGH, PA — The family of Heather Benes has announced the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and urgent home-related costs following her unexpected passing on December 27, 2025. Heather was found deceased in her home, marking a heartbreaking and poignant date—exactly seven years after the passing of her husband.
Heather, who was in her 70s, is remembered as an incredibly resilient woman who carried her family through years of financial and emotional difficulty. After the loss of her husband, she faced substantial financial burdens yet found the strength to return to work despite significant medical challenges. She remained deeply involved in her community, active in her Synagogue, and well-known for teaching and sharing the game of Mahjong with friends and neighbors.
“Heather was a true trooper,” her son Thomas shared. “I don’t know how she managed everything she did. She stayed connected, she supported others, and she never stopped trying—no matter how difficult things became.”
Thomas and his sister Helene, both of whom live with a hereditary form of Muscular Dystrophy, are now responsible for managing their mother’s funeral, her home, and outstanding financial obligations. The family does not have the means to cover the mounting costs, which may include unpaid bills, home repairs, and potential second mortgages or lines of credit.
Funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will go directly toward:
Providing Heather with a respectful and meaningful funeral and burial
Restoring her home to livable condition so it can be lived in or sold
Resolving remaining debts and estate-related expenses
“This is the first time I’ve ever asked for help,” Thomas added. “But as the only man left in our family’s name, I have to try. My sister and I may not even be able to travel to Pittsburgh because of our disabilities, but we are doing everything we can to honor our mom. Any support means the world to us.”
The family is asking the community, friends, and anyone moved by Heather’s story to consider donating or sharing the campaign to help them through this difficult time.
GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/bf0ca6e8c
Support for Heather Benes’ Funeral & Home Costs
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-heather-benes-funeral-home-costs