'Heart Of Gold': LI Mourns Beloved 'Granola Lady' Lost To Brain Cancer

BABYLON, NY — Jeanette Candido, a Long Island woman known for her big heart and her artisanal granola, died on Tuesday after battling brain cancer for less than a year, her family announced on Thursday.

In early May, Candido, aka The Granola Lady, was diagnosed with glioblastoma—a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord— just days after her first symptoms emerged.

Immediately, her family—which extended beyond her three children to a large community that loved her—jumped to her aid with fundraising and support while she endured surgery, treatment, and living with a tumor that "impacted her eyesight, mobility, and ability to live life normally in this moment," her family said in May.

On Thursday, her three children, Adeline, Michael and Robbie, took to social media to announce her death, writing:

"On Tuesday Jeanette Candido, owner of The Granola Plant, sadly passed away. She was surrounded by people she loved and loved her back. You may know her as “The Granola Lady” but she was also a friend, Sister, and an amazing Mother.

"We wanted to take this moment to thank everyone who supported her through the years. She never thought her business would grow and reach so many people. And to all her friends she made along the way, thank you. Those hard weeks where she would feel discouraged were made a little easier knowing she could call up her market friends at any time.

"A celebration of life will be held in the upcoming months. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you ❤️ - Robbie, Michael, Addie"

For many years, Candido was a familiar face at farmers' markets across Long Island and was also the matriarch of the artisanal granola business, The Granola Plant. Candido was known for producing gluten-free, sugar-free and oil-free products that the community sought out at the markets.

Candido spoke from the heart while bravely documenting her "journey" through glioblastoma with regular blog posts that paused in October, when "things changed," she wrote.

Just weeks later, Candido endured brain surgery around the same time the community gathered for a farm-to-plate fundraiser to help their beloved friend.

At the dinner, host Margaret Kaiser said, "Jeanette is the nicest person I've ever met. She has a heart of gold and I love her dearly. And I can't believe this is happening to her."

When her children launched an online fundraiser on her behalf, they shared words from their mother:

"We appreciate the overwhelming support. So many of you have been texting, calling, sending prayers and well wishes, and supporting our GoFundMe.

"I have no words to express how much the monetary support at this time helps ease the blow to my children and me as we figure this out. My heart is so full with love, and I'm grateful for you all. We are blessed."

Candido's children were not immediately available for comment.