Cutchogue mom loses her battle with blood cancer
A Cutchogue woman who had been battling Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma for three years has died, friends said.
Elizabeth Toy passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24 while receiving treatment at Stony Brook University Medical Center.
She was 29.
Ms. Toy was diagnosed in 2010 with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that erodes the lymphatic system. As the disease progresses it compromises the body’s ability to fight infection, according to the Mayo Clinic.
During her treatment, Ms. Toy remained a dedicated mother to her 11-year-old son, Matthew, friends said.
“She fought so hard to be here for him,” longtime friend Tanya McDowell said.
In her memory, Ms. McDowell has teamed up with Mattituck restaurant Four Doors Down to hold a fundraiser for Matthew. The money will be deposited into a trust fund he can access to pay for college, Ms. McDowell said.
“This will be a nest egg for him,” she said. “He can use it to start his life.”
Matthew is now in the custody of Ms. Toy’s mother, Ms. McDowell said.
Ms. Toy has always been dedicated to her family, friends said.
In her final Facebook post, dated Sept. 1, she expressed excitement for a family visit to her hospital room.
“I have never been as surprised and happy as I was tonight,” Ms. Toy wrote. “I woke up from a sound sleep and opened my eyes to my sister and niece by my side that I haven’t seen in years! At first I couldn’t believe it was my sister; I was thinking who is this person who looks so much like her! Thank you God for this gift of seeing them!”
Friends say they will always remember Ms. Toy as smart, funny, strong and compassionate.
“She is one of the best friends I’ve ever had,” Ms. McDowell said. “We clicked from the moment we met. Our sons are best friends. She’s been a big part of our lives.”
The bike run and pig roast fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. at Four Doors Down located at 9870 Main Rd, Mattituck.
The event, which was scheduled before her death, features live music, food, a 50/50 raffle, and beer and drink specials.
Donations for the party are $15 at the door.
Anyone interested in participating in the motorcycle run may sign up at the restaurant at 10 a.m. the day of the even with a $20 donation.
