Pauline Monk, an 86-year-old grandma from Sissonville, West Virginia, is a Taco Bell stan. And Mawmaw Pauline (as she’s called by her grandkids) recently got the opportunity of a lifetime: to be the first patron of a brand new Taco Bell location in her hometown. “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,” her granddaughter Autumn Collette, tells Upworthy. Autumn Collette shared a behind-the-scenes video of her Mawmaw Pauline being interviewed by local news station WOWK 13 News, where she shared her excitement over being the first customer to step foot in and eat at her favorite restaurant. View this post on Instagram Mawmaw Pauline’s Taco Bell experience Autumn Collette posted a touching video of Mawmaw Pauline soaking up her Taco Bell experience on opening day, adding that she “got to be the first patron inside. First person to sit down. First person to place an order.” She explained how MawMaw Pauline was able to have her Taco Bell dream come true. “My uncle is in the House of Delegates for West Virginia. He rallied hard to get that Taco Bell there,” she shares, adding that he helped his mom attend the opening. “There were a lot of people inside wanting to order and every single person agreed she should be first. It was the sweetest thing. We didn’t even ask for her to be first to order. They just came up to me and asked if she’d want to be first because she deserved that. They also wouldn’t let her pay.” Mawmaw Pauline got her moment in the spotlight. During an interview with WOWK 13 News, she said, “Oh, I’ve wanted one for all the time. It’s one of my favorite restaurants. It got here, and then I found out I had terminal cancer, and I didn’t think I’d live to see it built, but thank the Lord that I am here today to open it up! I’m the Queen of the Taco Bell of Sissonville!” Mawmaw Pauline’s cancer battle She tells Upworthy, “She beat breast cancer over 20 years ago. She was a blue collar worker who also owned her own businesses and worked hard her whole life. Any time someone in the community was down she was there to lift them up. You’ll never meet someone with a negative thing to say about her.” In the video’s overlay, Autumn Collette shared that her Mawmaw is unfortunately battling cancer again. “She was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung and liver cancer in November of 2025. She was given a life expectancy of 2-3 months,” she wrote. “On May 6, 2026: 6 months after her diagnosis…she made it to see the Taco Bell open in her hometown of 70-some years.” View this post on Instagram She adds, “My Mawmaw is just an angel on earth. And I know everybody says that about their mawmaws.. but I am for certain that mine really is. She is the most wholesome woman.” Viewers respond Many people were touched by this win amid Mawmaw Pauline’s cancer battle and the love and joy she exudes for Taco Bell: “She should NEVER have to pay for another Taco Bell meal EVER! Free Taco Bell for Life. This brought tears to my eyes .” “Baja Bless this woman .” “I love her I’m so happy she got to get her nacho bell grande!!” “All hail THE Queen of the Taco Bell. .” “Grandma chose to live más.” “Aww the Taco Belle of the Ball!!!” “Give her everything she wants off that menu!” The post Grandma battling cancer has wish granted by becoming new Taco Bell’s first patron appeared first on Upworthy.