Mom of 2 Dies Suddenly After Experiencing Complications from Emergency C-Section: ‘Everybody Loved Her’

A 33-year-old California mother died the day before Thanksgiving, leaving behind her husband and their two young boys.

On Wednesday, Nov. 26, Cassidy Arnold died after suffering complications following an emergency C-section, according to a message on a GoFundMe page written by her sister-in-law, Aimie Pieper.

“Trent is now trying to learn how to be a single dad to his newborn baby, Sam, and his four-year-old, Charlie,” Pieper wrote of her brother, Trent Arnold, adding that he is also facing the financial strain of medical bills and funeral expenses.

Cassidy’s father, Jason Simpson, told SFGate that the family is trying to stay strong, especially for her older son, who turns 5 later this month. Still, he acknowledged that it will be difficult for loved ones to hide their grief around the child.

In addition to caring for her own children, Cassidy poured her energy into her work at Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., where she oversaw the daycare and kids’ summer programs. Her father said she had a special connection with the children of both guests and employees, always willing to go the extra mile so kids felt safe, supported and loved.

She also pushed for the resort’s child care center to provide affordable, year-round care for employees, SFGate reported. In a statement, the resort remembered Cassidy as a cornerstone of its community, praising the love and care she brought to the children in her programs. The resort credited her with helping turn expanded, year-round child care into a reality and said many families have had peace of mind knowing their kids were in trusted hands. They added that her calm presence, kindness and dedication will be deeply missed, and that her influence on the community will endure.

Since her death, Cassidy’s family has received an outpouring of support from the local community, including breast milk donations for the baby. As of Wednesday, Dec. 3, the GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $80,000 to help the family.

Simpson told SFGate that while they are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown to them, they are still trying to catch their breath as they grapple with the loss.