Heartbreak of the terminally-ill Texas woman who tried to sell her beloved horse Roxie to cover her own funeral costs... but then died before buyer could come up with the money

  • Melanie Koch, 62, of Irving, Texas, died on Thursday 
  • She wanted to sell her horse Roxie to trainer Rosie Aschenbrenner 
  • But Aschenbrenner didn't have the money 
  • So, Koch's friends created a GoFundMe that partly raised the money needed for Aschenbrenner to purchase Roxie 

A Texas woman who wanted to sell her horse in order to pay for her funeral died on Thursday.

Melanie Koch, 62, of Irving, Texas, had been diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer - a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus - on June 30. 

Koch, a horse breeder, with several of her animals competing in world championships, realized the only way she would be able to cover her funeral costs would be to sell her most prized possession - her horse Roxie.  

Melanie Koch, 62, of Irving, Texas, (left) had been diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer - a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus - on June 30

Melanie Koch, 62, of Irving, Texas, (left) had been diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer - a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus - on June 30

Koch wanted to sell her beloved horse Roxie (pictured) to Rosie Aschenbrenner (pictured), owner of Oak Point Ranch in Plano, Texas 

Koch wanted to sell her beloved horse Roxie (pictured) to Rosie Aschenbrenner (pictured), owner of Oak Point Ranch in Plano, Texas 

'To this day I don't ... never cared about having kids', she said. 'My animals have always been my kids'. 

Like a good parent, Koch showed no favoritism toward her horses, but she admitted to WFAA8 that Roxie was in the top five.  

Through the years, she chalked up the aches and pains due to her work with the horses.

'I miss the horse smells, I miss the hay, I miss shoveling manure, believe it or not!' Koch told WFAA8.

Cancer changed her to-do list. 

But Aschenbrenner doesn't have the money to buy Roxie 

But Aschenbrenner doesn't have the money to buy Roxie 

Koch and Aschenbrenner talked on the phone nearly every day until Koch's death 

Koch and Aschenbrenner talked on the phone nearly every day until Koch's death 

Koch wanted to die knowing Aschenbrenner could make Roxie into a barrel racing champion

Koch wanted to die knowing Aschenbrenner could make Roxie into a barrel racing champion

Koch's friends created a GoFundMe that partly raised the money needed for Aschenbrenner to purchase Roxie

Koch's friends created a GoFundMe that partly raised the money needed for Aschenbrenner to purchase Roxie

If Koch had to sell Roxie, she had only one buyer in mind. 

Earlier this month, Rosie Aschenbrenner, owner of Oak Point Ranch in Plano, Texas, called Koch about Roxie, and they talked on the phone nearly every day until Koch's death. 

Koch wanted to die knowing Aschenbrenner could make Roxie into a barrel racing champion. 

Like a good parent, Koch showed no favoritism toward her horses, but she admitted to WFAA8 that Roxie was in the top five

Like a good parent, Koch showed no favoritism toward her horses, but she admitted to WFAA8 that Roxie was in the top five

Through the years, Koch chalked up the aches and pains due to her work with the horses

Through the years, Koch chalked up the aches and pains due to her work with the horses

'I told her what my goal was, and she said, well, maybe I can carry that out for you', Koch said.  

But Aschenbrenner doesn't have the money to buy Roxie.  

So, Koch's friends created a GoFundMe that partly raises the money needed for Aschenbrenner to purchase Roxie.    

Her friends are hoping Roxie will now get the chance to change Aschenbrenner's life. 

They need $1,400 more to reach their $10,000 goal that would cover the remainder of Koch's funeral and medical costs.