At 66-years old, Susan Braley, a Florida mom to over 300 foster children, has died of COVID-19.
Over two weeks ago, Braley and her husband, Dennis, tested positive for the deadly virus, reports Today.
While Dennis remains hospitalized, Susan passed away from COVID-19 on January 20.
The couple, originally from Bangor, Maine, became foster parents to 309 children and adoptive parents to seven of them over the past 20 years.
Carianne Braley, the couple’s biological daughter, explained how her mother began fostering children at 46. Her mother decided to take on this role after seeing Carianne’s biological brother Craig and his spouse struggle to have children.
“My mom said, ‘We have a home and we have love to give, so why not?” Carianne said.
Carianne shared that it didn’t matter if a child stayed two days or two years because her mother treated them all with love and support.
“You’d walk into the house and it was always immaculate,” Carianne said. Her mother was the leader of the family, and her experience as a regional director in corporate America meant that she was adept at providing kids with structure and an organized home. “That’s why those children thrived, because of her structure. She gave that consistency.”
The late 66-year-old was known for taking in children with behavioral issues and giving support to them. She once took in a young girl with autism who came from a home with poor conditions and couldn’t communicate.
Carianne and her brother as well as all of the children were able to say goodbye to Susan after they learned that her health was failing. Like many patients with COVID-19, Susan was only with staff at the hospital when she passed away.
“She said, ‘Make sure you get in church and take care of these kids,’” Carianne said that was the last thing her mother told her.
Carianne and Thomas are now doing their best to support Dennis as he struggles with COVID-19. Their goal is to keep all of the adopted children in their homes.
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