Obituary – Death – Cause of death News :

U.S. Women’s Water Polo Star Maddie Musselman’s Husband Dies at 31 from Rare Cancer

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Pat Woepse, husband of U.S. women’s water polo star Maddie Musselman, at the young age of 31. Pat, a former water polo player at UCLA, was diagnosed with NUT carcinoma, a rare form of lung cancer, in September 2023. Despite his battle with the disease, he was determined to see his wife compete in her third Olympics, which she did over the summer in Paris.

Maddie Musselman, 26, took to Instagram to announce the heartbreaking news of her husband’s passing, describing him as the light of her life and her person. She expressed her gratitude for the love and support he showed her throughout their time together. Pat’s courage and strength in the face of such a difficult diagnosis were evident to all who knew him.

The couple met at a friend’s wedding in 2022 and was married the following year, shortly before learning of Pat’s terminal illness. Despite the challenges they faced, their love and bond remained strong, with Pat always encouraging Maddie to continue pursuing her passion for water polo.

Team USA, led by Maddie Musselman, has achieved great success in the water polo world, winning Olympic gold in 2020 and 2016. The team unfortunately fell short of a medal in Paris, but the memory of Pat’s unwavering support and love will continue to inspire them.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Maddie Musselman and the Woepse family during this difficult time. May Pat’s legacy of strength and love live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Who was Pat Woepse and What Was His Diagnosis?

Pat Woepse was a former water polo player at UCLA who tragically passed away at the age of 31 from a rare form of lung cancer called NUT carcinoma. Despite the diagnosis in September 2023, Woepse was determined to see his wife, U.S. women’s water polo star Maddie Musselman, compete in her third Olympics, which she did over the summer in Paris.

How Did Maddie Musselman React to Her Husband’s Passing?

Maddie Musselman, a 26-year-old from Newport Beach, California, expressed her heartbreak in an Instagram post announcing her husband’s death. She described Woepse as the light of her life and her person, emphasizing the deep love and connection they shared. Musselman also praised his courage and strength throughout his battle with cancer, noting that he never complained and fought every day to be with his loved ones.

What Was Their Love Story?

Maddie Musselman and Pat Woepse met at a friend’s wedding in 2022 and got married the following year. Upon learning of Woepse’s grim prognosis, they decided to tie the knot as soon as possible. Despite the challenges they faced, including the uncertainty of Woepse’s health, their love and commitment to each other remained unwavering.

How Did Pat Woepse’s Illness Impact Their Relationship?

Musselman shared that there were times when she felt torn between being with her ailing husband and fulfilling her commitments, such as practicing with her water polo team. However, Woepse’s support and encouragement never faltered, urging her to continue pursuing her dreams and responsibilities.

What Was Pat Woepse’s Legacy in Water Polo?

Woepse, who grew up in Southern California, was a key player in helping the UCLA Bruins win back-to-back national titles in 2014 and 2015. His teammates visited him in the hospital to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their championship victory, highlighting the lasting impact he had on his colleagues and the sport of water polo.

How Did Maddie Musselman Reflect on Their Relationship?

Musselman described Woepse as her first love and the best husband she could have asked for, emphasizing the profound impact he had on her life. She expressed gratitude for the love and support he provided, vowing to carry on his legacy of love and resilience in her own life.

By incorporating these subheadings and expanding on each topic with detailed paragraphs, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between Maddie Musselman and Pat Woepse, highlighting their love, challenges, and enduring bond in the face of adversity.