86-Year-Old Cancer Patient Is First at New Taco Bell

When Pauline Monk learned she had stage 4 lung and liver cancer last November, doctors gave her two to three months to live. But the 86-year-old grandmother from Sissonville, West Virginia, had something worth fighting for: her hometown was finally getting a Taco Bell.

"She didn't think she'd live to see it built, but thank the Lord that I am here today to open it up!" Pauline told WOWK 13 News on opening day. "I'm the Queen of the Taco Bell of Sissonville!"

Her granddaughter Autumn Collette says the new restaurant location meant everything to their family. "Taco Bell opening in their hometown might not be a big deal to most, but to us, it was an answered prayer that she made it to see that day."

Pauline's son, a member of West Virginia's House of Delegates, worked hard to bring the restaurant to Sissonville. When opening day arrived on May 6, six months after her terminal diagnosis, he made sure his mom could attend.

The real magic happened when fellow customers saw Pauline arrive. Without anyone asking, people who had been waiting to order stepped aside. They insisted this lifelong Taco Bell superfan should be first to place an order, first to sit down, and first to eat at the new location.

They even refused to let her pay.

Sunny's Take

Pauline beat breast cancer over 20 years ago and spent her life lifting others up in her community. She worked blue collar jobs, owned her own businesses, and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Now her neighbors returned that kindness when it mattered most.

"My Mawmaw is just an angel on earth," Autumn says. "She is the most wholesome woman."

The video of Pauline's special day touched thousands online, with comments flooding in: "She should NEVER have to pay for another Taco Bell meal EVER!" and "All hail THE Queen of the Taco Bell."

One commenter summed it up perfectly: "Grandma chose to live más."

Sometimes the smallest joys give us the biggest reasons to keep fighting.