A textbook introvert, she much preferred spending time alone. She’d come dressed for the party and when she’d had enough, she’d leave without saying, “goodbye.”

So, I guess her departure was in typical Moe fashion: slipping away before we were ready for her to go or even knew she was going to go.

On June 6th, 2025, Martha Jane Engle, 73, passed away from a very VERY short battle with cancer.

This morning I arrived and I whistled like I always do (and like her mom always did) upon my arrival. It always gets her to quickly open her eyes and usually we can have a bit of a conversation. But not today. Today it was nearly impossible to get anything out of her.

When I got there this morning it was pouring rain, and pretty dark due to that. One of my other favorite moments with her was when I opened up the blinds to show her the rain. She said, “It’s so dark! And it’s 9:30! Why is it dark?” to which I said, “because it’s raining! Wait, how did you know it’s 9:30?” and she said, “I just did!”

It was 9:10, but close enough for me given that she has no idea what day or time it is most of the time. She then saw a commercial for chicken tenders and thought those looked really good, so it doesn’t surprise me that when I arrived in the afternoon she had just received some chicken tenders (and onion rings) per her specific request.

It‘s weird seeing my aunt in a room she always said she never wanted to be in… in a home that isn’t hers, and yet, I suppose it is now.

I’m grateful for the 24/7 care which is not something I can provide, nor could we sustain for long financially if she were back in her home… especially for instances like last night when she fell out of bed. She doesn’t remember it and says she isn’t in any pain, which I suppose is a good thing.

Follow our family’s journey when Aunt Moe was diagnosed with widespread cancer, transitioned to hospice care, and how we’re caring for her simple wish to feel like a princess.