(Photo courtesy of Newcomer Funeral Home)
With joy far bigger than the disease relentlessly attacking her tiny body, a Denver nun crafted her bucket list. Just one time, she wanted to ride in a helicopter. But, most of all, Sister Monique Vredeveld dreamed of leading the Broncos in prayer.
Little miracles happen. The nun's fondest football wish was granted. But fewer than 36 hours after the Broncos generously invited her to meet the team at practice, Sister Mo had to take another call. Heaven was on Line 1 and could not wait.
Before Vredeveld got the chance to bless receiver Demaryius Thomas, quarterback Peyton Manning and the gridiron heroes who made this feisty 88-year-old nun cheer with every ounce in her 85-pound frame on an NFL Sunday, she succumbed to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and died in her sleep during the early morning hours of Oct.