How can i be there for my friend while her mother is dying?

my friend, melanie (mel for short), was raised by her widowed mother, alex. i am very close to her family. her father had ped away before she was born. mel is quite a tomboy, but she is also a mummy`s girl. she is very close to her mother. the only other relative they have is mel`s elderly great-grandmother, who lives in a nursing home. she may be ancient, but she had remained young at heart and tells the most wonderful stories. mel had been a happy girl until she found out that her mum has cancer. alex had to have an operation followed by chemotherapy. there is now no chance of her making a recovery. she is going to die and leave mel all alone in the world. i know mel is a brave, strong girl who will be able to cope. she is smart, capable and independent, but i am still scared for her. since i am friends with her i want to be there for her at this difficult time. what can i do to help her?