I suggest power eggs in a lime green, chartreuse or orange; off the bottom with a 4' leader, sliding tear drop sinker. Float them with a 12" leader around 5' deep. Also, salad shrimp are way easier to deal with with than sand shrimp. You can even nuke them in the microwave to toughen them up a bit or tip small steelhead jigs with it, pink, orange or black/chartreuse work the best. Small spinners work well too. Best of luck and sorry for your loss, it is never easy losing your loved ones.