Patriots Fan Dies of Cancer 2 Weeks After Being Gifted Super Bowl Tickets by Team’s Owner Robert Kraft

A New England Patriots fan has died of cancer just weeks after she was given tickets to watch the team at this year’s Super Bowl.

On Monday, Jan. 26, Shelly Sepulveda died in the early hours of the morning following a two-year cancer journey, according to Boston 25 and a GoFundMe page.

Her death came just hours after the Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 10-7 on Sunday to win the AFC Championship and secure their spot at the 2026 Super Bowl in San Francisco on Feb. 8.

Sepulveda worked as a neonatal ICU nurse and was surprised earlier this month by Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his wife Dr. Dana Kraft with tickets to this year’s Super Bowl, per a video shared on the team’s X account.

“We are heartbroken to share that Shelly has passed away last night at 1:51 am,” the GoFundMe page — organized on behalf of her wife, Tami Sepulveda — read. “She was a devoted wife to her wife, Tami, and an incredible mom to six wonderful kids who were the center of her world.”

“Shelly was deeply loved, and her loss has left an unimaginable hole in her family and in everyone who knew her,” the description added.

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“We are asking for help during this incredibly difficult time to cover the costs of Shelly’s funeral and memorial services,” the description continued. “Her passing was unexpected, and the financial burden has added so much stress to an already devastating loss.”

Money from the fundraiser, which has so far raised over $35,000 of a $40,000 goal, will go towards Sepulveda’s funeral and memorial services, according to the page.

Sepulveda was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2024, according to Boston 25.

Known for giving back to her community, she fostered children who suffered from drug addiction. She also adopted five children with her wife.

“My sweet angel passed away at 151am,” Tami wrote in a tribute on Facebook on Monday. “Last night, she tried as hard as she could to stay here, she is a fighter and now our angel watching down on us. I’m just numb from pain.”

Tami added, “It’s so hard, but I know how much she was loved! She was truly the best wife and mother and friend we will miss her so so very much. Rest in peace now Shelly, I Love you.”

After being surprised with the Super Bowl tickets by the Krafts on Jan. 14, Sepulveda could be heard telling them in the video shared by the team, “Are you serious? … That means so much to me.”

“It’s our honor … You’re gonna beat it. I feel that,” Robert added. “You’re gonna be strong.”

Elsewhere in the video, Sepulveda could be seen saying, “I told Mr. Kraft, when I’m here I don’t think about cancer, I watch the Patriots … I’m so happy.”

PEOPLE has contacted GoFundMe and the New England Patriots for comment.