MARGATE, Fla. -- A duck shelter is in need of volunteers and financial help after one of its longtime caretakers has passed away.

Eunice Sivertsen, or the "Duck Lady," and her husband, Charlie, started the Duck Haven to care of abandoned, injured and diseased ducks. There, the ducks receive the care and treatment they need to be returned to the wild.

Images: Injured, Abandoned Ducks Rescued

Eunice Sivertsen said her love of ducks was rekindled by the love of her life.

"My husband and I founded this in 1975, 30 years ago, to help the Muscovy ducks," Sivertsen said. "I rescue from Miami up to West Palm Beach."

On Sept. 16, Charlie Sivertsen, Eunice's husband of 49 years, died, turning her world upside down. Now, the Duck Haven is struggling to survive.

"It's been hard. We're in need of some help right now," Sivertsen said.

Eunice Sivertsen had spent her days caring for the ducks, while her husband worked part-time to provide financial support for the rescue mission. Now, Eunice has taken on the challenge of the shelter alone, for the love of her husband and her ducks.

"I've got to stay strong. These guys need me, and if I didn't have them, I would have been lost," Sivertsen said.

The Duck Haven needs volunteers and financial support to keep going. If you'd like more information, visit the Duck Haven Web site.