Two children of the Bridgeport crossing guard who died of cancer earlier this month made a public appeal Wednesday for help covering her funeral costs.

Their mother, Shalisa Thomas, was better known as Sherl to people close to her. She worked for the city for years.

But she died nine days ago of a rare form of cancer, leaving behind three kids -- two of them teenagers.

"She would crack jokes with you, or she would be the life of the party," says her daughter, Shaquala Brown. "I want to give my mom a...celebration of her life. She wouldn't want all of us to be sad. She'd want us to celebrate."

But the family says it doesn't have enough money to pay for a proper funeral for the late public servant. Her body is still at St. Vincent's Medical Center.

Anyone interested in helping the family can donate directly to Baker Isaac Funeral Home in Bridgeport, which has agreed to tend to the arrangements if the family can raise $3,600.

The family is waiting to set a funeral date until the expenses can be covered.