Mama June reveals late daughter Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's dying wish was to 'spend more time with family' as she details her decline before death from cancer aged 29
Mama June Shannon's daughter Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's dying wish was to spend more time with family before her tragic death from cancer aged 29 in December 2023.
Mom of two Cardwell battled adrenal cancer that progressed to stage 4 before she died on December 9.
Speaking to People, Mama June detailed how she knew her daughter had entered her final days and said the family gathered together to honor her last wishes.
She said: 'We knew after we came back from our last vacation on December the 4th as we went to Gatlinburg. That's where she wanted to go. We went there the last week of November instead of July 4th. Well, the 5th. I kind of knew something was up when we was in and out the last couple of days, but we adored our time."
'Once she came back here and she [had] seen the nurses and all of that, they was just telling us that she was starting to transition, which I just thought it was because she was out from the trip and stuff like that. But no, it really was she was just transitioning.
Mama June Shannon's daughter Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell 's dying wish was to spend more time with family before her tragic death from cancer aged 29 in December 2023
Speaking to People , Mama June detailed how she knew her daughter had entered her final days and said the family gathered together to honor her last wishes
'We did get closer during that. Because that's really what Anna kept repeating, I want to spend more time with family. I want to spend more time together. We came together and made that happen.'
Shannon, who is married to Justin Stroud, praised her supportive husband for helping Anna throughout her treatment, saying: 'I tell a lot of people he didn't have to do what he [has] done. But me and him, we took Anna to every treatment. He was mainly the one helping get the kids back and forward to school, stuff like that.He was a great support. My kids call him.'
Anna who was the mother of two girls, Kaitlyn, 11, and Kylee, eight, underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy in an attempt to beat her cancer.
Mama June announced her daughter's death in an Instagram post.
Two days before her somber announcement, the reality star had asked her fans and followers on social media to pray for her ailing daughter.
'With the breaking heart, we are announcing that @annamarie35 is no longer with us,' June began her heartbreaking post. 'She passed away in my home last night peacefully at 11:12 PM.'
'She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months she passed away with her family around her like she won’t and we will will be updating y’all with more information as we get it today [sic],' Shannon continued.
Speaking to People , Mama June detailed how she knew her daughter had entered her final days and said the family gathered together to honor her last wishes. She said: 'We knew after we came back from our last vacation on December the 4th as we went to Gatlinburg
Cardwell tied the knot with partner Eldridge Toney on March 4 in Wilkinson County, Georgia while undergoing chemotherapy, after previously expressing her desire to wed two months prior while she still felt well enough , reports TMZ
'We love y’all and continued prayers and thoughts for our family [during] this difficult time,' she added.
Accompanying the caption was a photo of Mama June and her family, including Anna, who sported short hair amid her cancer treatments.
Anna was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer in January after complaining of stomach pain.
The Mayo Clinic reports adrenal carcinoma is a rare cancer that affects the adrenal glands in the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce hormones which deliver instructions to virtually every organ and tissue in the body.
Over the summer, the From Not to Hot star revealed that Anna's cancer was terminal.
'We know it's terminal. She's stage 4. She's not gonna go into remission,' she wrote, adding: 'We've all accepted that, so I just tell people one day at a time 'cause you never know.'
On Friday she took to social media to ask her 758,000 Instagram followers for prayers.
'Y’all we are asking for prayers for our family as we are going through this process,' the Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo alum wrote.
'We really appreciate y’all for all the thoughts and prayers and we will update y’all whenever we can,' she said, adding, 'just know that all of your thoughts and your prayers are very much appreciated during this time, she explained, adding the hashtags, '#mamajune #cancersucks #family #prayers.'
She didn't mention her daughter explicitly, but her followers knew immediately she was referring to Cardwell.
Two days before her somber announcement, the reality star had asked her fans and followers on social media to pray for her ailing daughter
Anna was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer in January after complaining of stomach pain
'Anna sending you many many many prayers. God bless you sweetheart. ❤️,' one concerned fan wrote.
'Lord please have Anna in your hands and help her and her family In this time that they need you,' added another.
One follower empathized with June's struggle, writing, 'From a mom of a cancer warrior.. angel.. my sincere thoughts and prayers for you all.'
June's 23-year-old daughter, Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird reposted adding, 'Say a prayer for our family.'
Cardwell's 18-year-old little sister Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson took to social media on Sunday to remember her as well.
Sharing with her 1.1 million followers, Thompson wrote, 'This is one post I wish I didn’t have to make.'
She shared the same family portrait as her mom did along with a heartbreaking caption as she grieved the fresh loss.
'Last night we all surrounded Anna with love & let her know it was okay to go. Unfortunately around 11pm Anna took her last [breath],' she said.
The note continued, 'Anna was in so much pain last night but now as a family we all know she is at peace now. I really don’t know what to say as my heart is completely broken.'
The college student voiced: 'Watching my 29 year old sister this last year battle this horrible disease hasn’t been easy. Anna was a fighter & still is. Lord please wrap your arms around her 2 babies & our family as the next couple of days will make this all a reality.'
She went on to say that her bigger sister waited until she arrived home to transition.
'I’m so glad that you waited til i was home to take your last breath! I would’ve loved for you to get to see me graduate college but i know you will forever cheer me on in heaven!' she said in the caption.
'We will all make sure your legacy lives on forever. And i promise to always make sure to celebrate our birthday like you never left! The sky looks a little bit different today. We will always love you Anna,' a heartbroken Honey Boo Boo added.
And finally, she said, 'You hit me hard with his one Anna but i know [you're] in a better place now and pain free forever!'
Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson took to social media on Sunday to remember her late sister Anna
Eventually, Anna's cancer spread to her liver, kidneys and lungs
The mother of two girls, Kaitlyn, 11, and Kylee, eight, underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy in an attempt to beat her cancer
Eventually, Anna's cancer spread to her liver, kidneys and lungs.
The average age of patients with adrenal cancer is 46, but it can occur in people of any age, even in children, according to the American Cancer Society.
Adrenocortical carcinomas start in the outer layer of the adrenal glands, which are next to the kidneys. The adrenal glands are small glands producing hormones.
Most growths that form in the adrenal glands are noncancerous.
