Ten-year-old Maine girl left an orphan after her parents die two weeks apart from cancer

Publish date: 2024-06-26

A 10-year-old girl has been orphaned after she lost her parents to cancer just two weeks apart, and she says it was the longest time they ever spent away from each other.

Gwen Fletcher, who's from Lyman, Maine, will be brought up by her grandmother, Gail Fletcher, 67, following last month's double tragedy, as reported by The Portland Press Herald.

Gwen lost her father Dylan Fletcher at the age of 47 on November 15. 

Gwen Fletcher, 10, (pictured center) will be cared for by her grandmother Gail (pictured far left) after her dad Dylan, (pictured right) died from pancreatic cancer, aged 47. Mom Julie Fletcher (center left) died two weeks after her husband aged 37.

Gwen Fletcher, 10, (pictured center) will be cared for by her grandmother Gail (pictured far left) after her dad Dylan, (pictured right) died from pancreatic cancer, aged 47. Mom Julie Fletcher (center left) died two weeks after her husband aged 37.

He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016 and went through treatments at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Dylan Fletcher, who's family has a history of pancreatic cancer, was said to be in remission in July but in September his cancer returned, according to family members. 

Gwen's mother Julie Fletcher, 37, was diagnosed with the disease on May 25. The devastating diagnosis came on her birthday.

She had NUT carcinoma, a cancer that originates in the midline. It started in her thymus, a small organ near the sternum and is a rare and genetic disease. 

Julie Fletcher underwent experimental drug treatment also at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, but nothing helped, according to Gail Fletcher who's husband David died in 1990.

Julie Fletcher was bedridden when the cancer took her life shortly before 6:30 a.m. on November 29.

Gwen had been enjoying a long hug with her mom in the minutes before she died, a special moment between mother and daughter.

Gwen said her parents had a deep love for each other and couldn't be apart long.

'Two weeks (in between their deaths) was the longest they had ever gone without seeing each other,' said a brave Gwen.

Her parents worked together at a pressure-washing business they owned. Gwen's father liked to fish and hunt while her mother loved animals and took care of cats, chickens, ducks and a rooster. 

Gwen and her grandmother will live together in Lyman with their dog, Apollo, and five cats. Gwen has a half-sister who lives in New Hampshire. 

Gwen has returned to elementary school as a fifth-grader and is continuing to take care of the family's animals. She is also going to support sessions at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland.

Gail Fletcher has a number of jobs, including catering, pet-sitting, house-sitting and elder care. 

Her son Dylan and daughter-in-law Julie did not have life insurance, Gail Fletcher said, and they were forced to go through their savings during their illnesses. 

Family friend Kathleen Kinsella spoke to WMTW News 8 about her decision to set up a GoFundMe page to help Gwen and Gail navigate an uncertain financial future.

The campaign on GoFundMe has a goal of $50,000. The campaign will run through the holidays and into the beginning of the New Year.

As of Tuesday, over half the goal had been reached. 

Well wishers have left messages of support and sympathy on Gail and Gwen's GoFundMe page.

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'I cannot imagine what your family is going through. Julie was such a sweet lady. I met her when our daughters did swim together and then they did horse camp together a few years and she was always friendly and always had a smile on her face,' Sarah Hart wrote.    

'Our hearts are broken for this little girl and her grandmother,' Jason Rowles added.   

'Gail is one of the hardest working people I ever met and has endured an avalanche of difficulties,' Deborah Pepin Gelardi said.    

Meanwhile Gwen is remaining as positive as possible and has taken her late mother's advice.

'My mom always would say that you can always find something to be thankful for,' Gwen said. 

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